How does education foster a sense of identity? This article looks at the madrasa system of education in West Bengal in an attempt to understand its role in shaping Muslim identity. While different madrasas cater to different groups within the community, the schools, whether government supported or non-government run, also differ in the range of subjects they offer. What emerges also is that while the state government ostensibly supports madrasas, very little is done to improve their conditions either by way of infrastructure or curricula reforms. Madrasas, despite being the focus of attention and concern, continue to function in relative isolation, doing little to alleviate the poverty of the ordinary Muslim in the state.
