'Bhagavad Gita' teaching: Karnataka govt announcement a premature move, says Education expert

Bengaluru: The decision of the ruling BJP in Karnataka to include teachings of the Bhagavad Gita in schools and colleges from December has triggered a debate. Announcing it in the Assembly on Monday, Education Minister B.C. Nagesh stated that the teachings of the holy Hindu scripture would form a part of the `Moral Education` syllabus. "There is no proposal before the government to teach `Bhagavad Gita` to students along with the present syllabus as a special subject," he said.

However, Professor, activist, and educational expert Niranjan Aradhya V.P told IANS on Wednesday that the decision to make an announcement in this regard before the committee`s report is "premature" and "hasty`. "The decision of the government is incorrect. Whether it helps students or not is a different matter. In the academic quarter, bodies will prepare the syllabus for students. Principles of every religion should be inculcated in the book," he said. Once the committee is formed and its recommendations are out, then the discussion could be held. Without a committee making any decision, how can the minister announce that the Bhagavad Gita would be taught in December? Niranjan Aradhya questioned.

During the Legislative Council session, M.K. Pranesh, and M Ravi Kumar, both BJP MLCs raised the question in the Legislative Council pressing for commencing the teachings of Bhagavad Gita to students. "The government says there is no proposal to implement teachings of Bhagavad Gita to students in Karnataka in the present syllabus. There is no opposition to teaching Bhagavad Gita, Why is the government hesitant to teach Bhagavad Gita? Where has the interest shown by the government earlier while issuing statements evaporated? BJP MLC Pranesh had asked. Clarifying the question, the Minister had said he stated in the written answer that there is no proposal to teach Bhagavad Gita with the present syllabus this year. But, Bhagavad Gita would be included with the Moral Science subject.

For the same purpose, a committee has been formed and as per the recommendations of the committee from December, Bhagavad Gita will be included there as per everyone`s demand, Minister Nagesh stated. He also said that many mistakes in the school syllabus have been rectified so far regarding historical facts and the exercise would continue in the future. However, the issue is likely to stir controversy with various minority groups and individuals opposing it when the announcement was made earlier. Minister Nagesh had earlier stated that as per the National Education Policy (NEP), on the lines of Gujarat state, Bhagavad Gita will be introduced in the state after consulting educational experts.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had stated that it is the government`s stand to include Bhagavad Gita, the holy scripture of Hindus, into the syllabus as a part of the moral science subject. Asked whether Bhagavad Gita would teach moral lessons, CM Bommai had angrily asked that if not for Bhagavad Gita, which other scripture can teach morals to children? In this competitive age, children need moral education, said CM Bommai and asked not to create unnecessary confusion in this regard. If Bhagavad Gita is made part of the syllabus, it will help children with Intelligence, he maintained. In this country, all tall leaders, and elders who have thought about the nation have talked highly about Bhagavad Gita, Minister Nagesh stated.

Minister for Large and Medium Industries Murugesh Nirani stated that Bhagavad Gita has human values and children need to learn about those values. The government of Gujarat has taken a decision to add Bhagavad Gita to the syllabus and a decision should be taken in Karnataka also to introduce Bhagavad Gita to children, he had said. Senior Congress leader and former minister from Mysuru, Tanveer Sait had stirred up a controversy by stating that introducing Bhagavad Gita in the syllabus of school children is dangerous. "It is more dangerous than the Covid pandemic," he stated.

Former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy asked the ruling BJP whether the teachings of Bhagavad Gita will fill empty stomachs. The state is facing thousands of problems and the teachings of Bhagavad Gita won`t provide food for people, he reiterated. Emotional matters are gaining importance in the country. The innocents are being misled. "There is an end to this trend and we will wait until then," he said. Opposition leader Siddaramaiah stated, "We believe in the Hindu religion and give equal respect to other religions. We do not have any objection to teaching Bhagavad Gita, Bible, or Quran to children. But, children should be given quality education," he said.