A bill has been passed in the state assembly to close all government madrassas in the Indian state of Assam. The bill was passed on Wednesday (December 30th) despite strong protests from other opposition parties, including the Congress. As a result, about 600 government madrassas in Assam are being closed.

According to Indian media, the bill is now being sent to the governor. Once approved there, all

madrasas in Assam will become schools from April 1 next year. 

The Madrasa Education Board of Assam is also reportedly being banned under the bill. Assam Education Minister Himanta Bishwa Sharma said another bill would soon be introduced in the state assembly to oversee private madrassas.