Issuance of circular by Karnataka State Education Department brings out numerous protesters from Muslim and Christian communities; seeking withdrawal within 48 hours
Issuance of circular by Karnataka State Education Department brings out numerous protesters from Muslim and Christian communities; seeking withdrawal within 48 hours
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A circular issued by the Karnataka State Education Department at the behest of a group of Hindu priests, to make teaching of the Bhagavad Gita compulsory in all schools across the state, has stirred up a hornet's nest.
Several protesters from the Muslim and Christian communities, along with other activists, staged a huge protest at the Town Hall yesterday morning, demanding removal of the rule. The protesters have even threatened to take their protest up a few notches if serious stock of their concerns is not taken within 48 hours.
However, the government officials have refused to take back the circular despite state-wide protests and are threatening to press criminal charges against any school not following the same.
Not a good idea?
"We will shut down all schools and not allow the government to impose such a blanket rule. This will create rampant discrimination amongst students and when secularism is a fundamental right for all Indians, how can the education department impose such a rule? We do not approve of it and every single person of the eight lakh Muslims in the city will unite to protest against it," said Syed Mohammed Iqbal, jointu00a0 convenor, Karnataka Muslim Muttahida Mahaz.
K L Ashok, convenor of the protest, claimed, "They want all the schools to teach the Hindu holy scriptures for an hour every day. What about the students from other beliefs? There has been a strong backlash from all communities and we do not stand for such careless mixing of education and religion."
To each their own?
The Christian community in the city has also threatened to take the protest further if the government does not take serious damage control measures.
"Except Hinduism, no other religion believes in Karma. That is the main teaching of the Bhagavad Gita and we don't disagree that some good life principles could be learnt from it. But, this should apply to the Bible and the Quran, since all religions have values," said Rev. Dr D Manohar Chandra Prasad.u00a0
He added, "This will affect the minds of innocent kids at an early age and create enmity amongst them. The government will have to deal with serious agitation from our community if they go ahead with this plan." Other protesters argued that this imposition is impacting the students already.
Tough task ahead
"Students are expected to by heart the stanzas, which is going to be an excessive burden for them. We are fine with inculcating morals in our kids, but this is challenging the secular right of every single citizen," argued Prabhu Raj, a parent who participated in the protest.
In spite of serious threats issued by various communities, the education department remains indifferent about the matter. Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Visveshwara Hegde Kageri brushed off the matter
claiming that the government would not reverse the rule.
"The matter was brought up with through some swamijis and the government will stand by any positive change that a particular community wants to bring about. The argument between the various communities will be futile since anyone from any religion can learn good things from the Bhagavad Gita or other religious books," said Kageri.
Amidst the growing tension, minority communities and activists have threatened violent protests if no action is taken in the next 48 hours.
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