Barely
four months ahead of the state assembly elections, the state government has
decided to teach the Bhagavad Gita to students of Class 1 and 2 in its
Urdu-medium schools from the current academic session 2013-14. The decision is
likely to kick off a fresh row over inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita teachings in
school syllabus.
The
school education department's order (F-46-3-2013-XX-3) dated August 1, 2013
says, "State government, hereby in exercise of powers conferred by
sub-section (1) of Section 4 of Madhya Pradesh Prathmik, Middle School Tatha
Madhyamik Shiksha (Pathya Pustakon Sambandhi Vyavasatha) Adhiniyam, 1973 (No.
13 of 1973) permits to add one chapter each based on incidents enumerated in
the Bhagavad Gita in the textbooks of General Hindi prescribed to Class 3 to 8,
Special English and Special Urdu in Class 1 & 2 for the academic session
2013-14."
The order
is subsequent to an order passed by the school education department on July 4,
2013 whereby chapters based on 'incidents enumerated in the Bhagavad Gita' are
supposed to be included in the textbooks of Special Hindi from Class 9 to 12
and Special English in Class 11 and 12.
The state
government made the announcement in the year 2011 to introduce Bhagavad Gita
teachings in the school syllabus which was later opposed by minority
communities. So far, the decision has been implemented in parts. This would be
the first time when the teachings would be added as a part of Special Urdu
textbooks in Class I and 2.
The
Jabalpur bench of high court dismissed a petition last year filed against the
government's decision by the then spokesperson of Catholic Bishop Council Fr
Anand Mutungal.
"Gita
teachings in Urdu textbooks mean the state government intends to introduce the
teachings as part of the syllabus in Madarasas. We have been opposing mixing of
religion with education. It would have adverse impact on the tender hearts and
minds of students in their formative years of life," said Javed Anis,
secretary, Madhya Pradesh Lok Sangharsh Sajha Manch who has been opposing Gita
teachings in schools for a long time.
However,
school education minister Archna Chitnis dismisses such apprehensions that
Bhagavad Gita teachings would affect the personality of the students adversely
or that it would be a part of Madarsa syllabus. In fact, she says, it would
have a positive impact.
"This
would be introduced in the state government's Urdu-medium schools only,"
she said,
She said,
"What we are teaching is not exactly Bhagavad Gita in any religious form.
We have picked up some threads from Gita to instill a sense of duty and
responsibility, obedience, love for nature and environment etc into the
students. It is wrong to say that we are trying to saffronise education. These
teachings are a part of school syllabus for the past two years but there has
been no controversy at all."
Source: hindustantimes dot com 
0 comments:
Post a Comment