Determined to override the religious sensitivities involved, Karnataka Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda is considering introducing the Bhagavad Gita in the school curriculum in the state.
Favouring the proposal of the BJP government in Karnataka, Chief Minister Gowda said he would seek public opinion for the inclusion of Gita in primary and secondary schools.
“The Bhagavad Gita doesn’t belong to a particular religion or a sect as its teachings are universal. It aims at refining mankind and other religions have appreciated its philosophical teachings,” Gowda said.
Expressing confidence that all sections of people would agree to the government’s proposal, Gowda said the religious text was already being taught in Madhya Pradesh.
“Before introducing the Bhagavad Gita in primary and secondary schools, the government will have a thorough discussion with a cross-section of the society. We do not want any controversy in this regard,” Gowda told reporters.
The Chief Minister was speaking on the sidelines of Shri Bhagavad Gita Abhiyan Mahasamarpana function organised by various religious mutts in Bangalore.
Following his statement on introducing Gita, a group led by senior advocate Professor Ravi Varma Kumar criticised the proposal and said under no circumstance can religion be introduced in schools set up in a secular atmosphere.
“The government cannot impose religion on anyone. Under the Education Act and also the Constitution, they have no right to do so. The Constitution ensures the Right to Religion and what the government is trying to do is contrary to what the Constitution says,” Kumar said.
“A religious book cannot be a text book under any circumstance. The law of the land is very clear and that there cannot be religious education in schools as it violates the secular fabric of the country. The government is attempting to propagate religion and this is wrong,” Kumar told Rediff web portal.
Last year, a controversy was sparked when Primary and Secondary Education Minister Vishwanath Hegde Kageri issued a circular that proposed the teaching of Gita to primary and secondary school children daily for one hour.
“As the education minister I support the campaign. The government is ready to give money to mutts that support religion and culture, which the government believes in. Nobody can question it,” Kageri said.
The July circular was challenged by several religious groups on grounds that it went against the Constitution and affected the religious beliefs and sentiments of minority communities.
A petition filed by the Karnataka State Minorities Educational Institutions Managements Federation said the circular was contrary to the rights guaranteed to minority institutions and violated Section 7(g) 3 of Karnataka Education Act which upholds unity, sovereignty and integrity of the nation.
Protests were subsequently held by political and religious organisations condemning the attempt to “communalise” education.
