Gujarat govt, Centre told to respond to PIL opposing Gita in schools

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat high court once again directed the state government and the Centre to file a reply to a PIL challenging the state government's decision to introduce the Shrimad Bhagvad Gita at schools in their prayer programmes and through shloka recitation, beside making it a part of the curriculum.
The bench of acting Chief Justice A J Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav on Thursday sought replies from the governments by July 3, when a further hearing will be held.
The PIL was filed by Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, Gujarat, taking exception to the decision taken by the state education department last March. The PIL contends that the objection is "for upholding of constitutional principles of equality, fraternity and secularism, which are sought to be eroded" by prescribing a religious book of the Hindus for schoolchildren. Jamiat demanded quashing of the resolution mandating learning of the Gita by teaching its values/tenets and through stories, shloka recitation and chanting and prayers in assemblies for Classes 6 to 12 from the current academic year.
The petitioner organization called the decision "a colourable exercise of power" and violative of Articles 14 and 28 of the Constitution and asserted that "it is against the principle of secularism, which is a basic feature of the Constitution". It said introduction of a religious text at schools is contrary to the National Education Policy, which has always been religion-neutral and adhered to the prohibition of religious instruction in schools.