Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar has announced that “students in schools will be taught shlokas of the Bhagavad Gita from the new academic session.”
Children from class I to XII will have to read from the scripture in government schools.
This is not the first time the Gita has been at the centre of controversy for the country. In December last year, Sushma Swaraj said she wanted the Gita to be declared the ‘National Book,’ enraging secular liberals and the Opposition alike.
Should the religious text be taught in government schools? The Quint looks at arguments for and against Khattar’s move on what is bound to be a polarising issue.
Yes, Children Should Learn the Values of the Gita
- The Gita is one of the oldest and most revered texts in India. The values it teaches - selflessness, non-attachment, negation of the ego, the honest pursuit of one’s ‘karma’ and calling in life - are not specific to any religion. All Indians can benefit from its teachings.
- Religious values are already a part of school education in India. Missionary schools, Madrasas, and Sikh schools all impart religious teachings. So why shouldn’t the Gita be taught?
- University education in India has specific religious texts in its curriculum. Literature students often read the Bible, and Ethics papers already have the Gita in the reading list. Introducing it in schools is just another step in an already established practice.
No, It’s Not Secular
- All religions can lay claim to universal values. Gandhiji for example, was a believing Hindu but learnt from all religions. Why should the Gita be promoted by the government?
- India has a long history of religious strife and communal violence. Our version of secularism is not anti-religious. But for the government to endorse, even promote the majority religion’s scripture is a blatant violation of the spirit of the Constitution.
- The Constitution also allows every religion to run its own educational institutions. Yes, religious values are taught in Christian, Muslim and Sikh institutions, and by the same coin, Hindu groups like the RSS and many other private schools already teach the Gita and other religious texts in schools run by them. Why should the government get into the act as well?
- Finally, why reduce Hinduism to one text? Unlike other religions, there is no one book that encompasses the diversity of Hinduism. What about the Upanishads or even the Ramayan and Mahabharat or the Vedas?
A Middle Path?
The Haryana government wants to start teaching the Gita from primary school onwards. At that age, children may be too young to critically and rationally examine what they are taught. Value education is important, but it shouldn’t become indoctrination.
Ideally, the government should introduce values derived from all religions to students in higher classes. This will lead to a more ethically nuanced citizenry as well as help children imbibe a healthy respect for all religions.
Where do you stand on the issue? Get involved in the debate! Leave your views in the comments section.
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