Bengaluru: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state Gujarat, now another Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled state, Karnataka, is planning to introduce Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita in the school curriculum, media reports said.
State Education Minister BC Nagesh has hinted at the introduction of Gita in school curriculum “to improve the morals of students”.
“The Bhagavad Gita has been read by people for many years in this country. The Gita is read by all people and the book is translated in all the languages across the world. To improve the morale of students, we will discuss this with the academicians and experts first,” said Nagesh as quoted by The Indian Express.
However, the minister has added that Gita will not be added to the curriculum in the ongoing academic year.
Also read: Karnataka hijab ban challenged in Supreme Court after high court upholds it
The development comes amid simmering tension in the state over the diktats banning the wearing of hijab or head scarves inside educational institutions, a move that has triggered protests by the Muslim community.
The Karnataka High Court last week favoured the diktat stating hijab is not necessary to practice religion.
AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi and Kashmiri leaders Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah denounced the Karnataka High Court ruling, which upheld the ban on wearing of hijab in schools calling the head scarfs not essential in practising religion.
The decision “is deeply disappointing. On one hand we talk about empowering women, yet we are denying them the right to a simple choice. It isn’t just about religion but the freedom to choose”, said Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mufti, a former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister.
Also read: Muslim leaders slam Karnataka HC ruling on hijab row
National Conference leader and another former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah added, “Very disappointed by the verdict… Regardless of what you may think about the hijab, it’s not about an item of clothing, it’s about the right of a woman to choose how she wants to dress.
India Blooms News Service
