The Gujarat legislative assembly approved a resolution asking the state’s BJP government to ensure that the education department’s recent decision to teach the Bhagavad Gita in schools is implemented effectively.
The resolution got a thumbs-up from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), but Congress first voiced opposition before endorsing it during the voting process, which led to the resolution’s unanimous passage in the House.
Media houses have reported that the state education department declared in December last year that starting with the upcoming academic year, students in classes 6 through 12 will be taught the ideals and principles found in the “Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.”
Praful Pansheriya, the minister of state for education, presented the resolution to the House.
He said that the National Education Policy 2020 emphasises giving students a sense of pride on the rich and varied Indian culture, knowledge systems, and traditions.
“Accordingly, it is essential to integrate Indian culture into the students’ daily lives so they are exposed to the rich heritage of Indian culture and feel proud of being Indian. Indian culture and knowledge system should be included in the school curriculum in such a way that this connection helps in the overall development of the students,” the minister was quoted as saying.
It will be taught in classes six through eight through stories and recitations in the Sarvangi Shikshan textbook, which covers physical education, painting, and music, he added.
Congress MLA Kirit Patel, however, believes that the BJP government brought this resolution to mask the party’s failures.
“As per a recent report, Gujarat ranks 15th among 18 large states in student-teacher ratio. States like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are ahead of you. Gujarat’s drop-out ratio is also increasing and a shortage of teachers is a serious issue. Since you have come up with this resolution just to hide your failures, my party opposes it,” he was quoted as saying.
Amit Chavda, the leader of the Congress legislative party, called it a publicity gimmick by the ruling party.
“We are not against the introduction of Gita in the curriculum. We are against this resolution because it was brought for publicity only. You should have brought the resolution before deciding to introduce Gita in schools. What is the meaning of asking the House to request the government to implement it properly? It is like the government itself asking the government to do it properly,” he remarked.
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