Why Congress is opposing order to recite Hindu prayers in Chhattisgarh govt schools
A BJP government directive has mandated singing/reciting of the National Anthem, National Song, Gayatri Mantra and other prayers in state-run schools every day
The Congress says the order violates the idea of secularism and must be withdrawn. The party has asked the government to rather focus on what it terms as the deteriorating quality of education in state-run schools.
The new academic session for Chhattisgarh schools began on June 16. The school education department, on June 12, issued the elaborate order, asking all district education officers to ensure the singing/reciting of the National Anthem, National Song, Deep Mantra, Saraswati Vandana, Guru Mantra as well as narration of the lives of great personalities in schools, before classes begin in the morning.
The order stated that students would also have to recite a Bhojan Mantra during lunch-break and sing the Chhattisgarh state song, Gayatri Mantra and Shanti Mantra before leaving for the day.
The Congress said the decision discriminates against students of other religions. “What if other communities now demand that lessons from the Quran, Guru Granth Sahib or the Bible be narrated in schools?” asked Sushil Anand Shukla, Congress spokesperson, alleging that the government was out to run its schools “on the lines of the Saraswati Shishu Mandirs, aligned to the RSS”.
Congress leader and former deputy chief minister T.S. Singhdeo said that while it would be acceptable for students to sign and recite voluntarily, no order based on one religion should be imposed on all.
The government directive claimed the mandated practice would help in students’ intellectual development and raise awareness about India’s culture. Defending the move, state education minister Gajendra Yadav said the prayers would help build character in the student community.
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The Congress says the order violates the idea of secularism and must be withdrawn. The party has asked the government to rather focus on what it terms as the deteriorating quality of education in state-run schools.
The new academic session for Chhattisgarh schools began on June 16. The school education department, on June 12, issued the elaborate order, asking all district education officers to ensure the singing/reciting of the National Anthem, National Song, Deep Mantra, Saraswati Vandana, Guru Mantra as well as narration of the lives of great personalities in schools, before classes begin in the morning.
The order stated that students would also have to recite a Bhojan Mantra during lunch-break and sing the Chhattisgarh state song, Gayatri Mantra and Shanti Mantra before leaving for the day.
The Congress said the decision discriminates against students of other religions. “What if other communities now demand that lessons from the Quran, Guru Granth Sahib or the Bible be narrated in schools?” asked Sushil Anand Shukla, Congress spokesperson, alleging that the government was out to run its schools “on the lines of the Saraswati Shishu Mandirs, aligned to the RSS”.
Congress leader and former deputy chief minister T.S. Singhdeo said that while it would be acceptable for students to sign and recite voluntarily, no order based on one religion should be imposed on all.
The government directive claimed the mandated practice would help in students’ intellectual development and raise awareness about India’s culture. Defending the move, state education minister Gajendra Yadav said the prayers would help build character in the student community.
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