New Delhi: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has asserted his government was willing to reform madrasa education if there was a "consensus" within the Muslim community, even as the Islamic Council of India (ICI) said the step was necessary to dispel certain "misleading propaganda" about these theological schools.

In a message to ICI chairman Qari Mian Mazhari in connection with a national symposium of representatives of madrasas on May 4, Vajpayee asked Islamic leaders to "evolve a consensus on introducing science, computer education, English and vocational training as part of the curriculum".

"Madrasas have produced many freedom fighters and makes one a good human being, but it requires modern education to enable the students to play active part in nation's progress and development," he said in the message.

He said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was duty bound to ensure the educational and economical upliftment of the minority community.

Condemning attempts to portray madrasas as the "breeding grounds of anti-national activities" and other "misleading propaganda", speakers at the symposium asked the Centre and state governments not to discriminate these schools in matters of extending various assistance and introduction of schemes.

"In the absence of modern reforms and because of lack of interest to impart them to theological institutions, large section of students always remain exposed to the type of education not relevant today," Mazhari said, inaugurating the meet.

PTI