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Bangalore: Decision on Preaching Bhagavad Gita in Schools Turns Controversial

  •   Sat, Jul 09 2011 03:37:50 PM

Bangalore: Decision on Preaching Bhagavad Gita in Schools Turns Controversial

Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jul 9: The decision of the government to introduce study of the Bhagavad Gita in government schools has evoked resentment, and a majority of the people, whose opinions were sought, were opposed to it.

The arrest of a leader who had protested against the preaching of the spiritual contents of the Gita in a junior college in Kolar by Gangadhareshwara Saraswati Swamiji, has fuelled the resentment further.

V Ambarish, Kolar district president of Students Federation of India, who was arrested in connection with the above incident, began fast at the local jail, demanding the arrest of the Swamiji. In view of the furore, the Bhagavad Gita campaign has been put on hold in Chikballapur district for the present. The programme has faced stiff resistance in Kolar and Chikballapur districts.

Various scholars including Prof G Venkatsubbaiah and Nirananjan Aradhya, educationist, Dr Mahabaleshwar Rao, veteran writers, Hampa Nagarajaiah and  Amrit Someshar and also former Kannada Sahitya Parishat president, Chandrashekhar Patil, have opposed the move, with some of them even terming it anti-constitutional. Wakf minister, Mumtaz Ali Khan, opines that it would be better, if alongside the Bhagavad Gita, teaching of the Quran and the Bible is also introduced in schools, as all the religions preach the same principles.

While the programme has reportedly received good response in some districts, there are others who term it as an attempt at saffronization of education. Minister for primary and secondary education, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, claims that this programme was awaiting clearance since long, and that this campaign is aimed at preaching moral and ethical values to the children when they are young. Stressing that the Bhagavad Gita is universally acclaimed book without religious overtones, he said that the programme is not backed by any hidden agenda.
  

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Comment on this article

  • Indian, Bangalore

    Thu, Jul 21 2011

    All of you. Please go watch your television, all channels for 10 days. Make a note of how many programs regarding the Hinduism are shown and how many programs regarding the other religions are shown. You all will find your answers there. You call this secularism? cut the crap.

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  • Indian, Bangalore

    Thu, Jul 21 2011

    @Praveen Kumar.. Have you read Bhagavad Geeta ? In all the countries that you have mentioned, mention any country that is as secular and diverse as India.. think before you talk.

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  • Indian, Bangalore

    Thu, Jul 21 2011

    Said rightly. You have indeed understood the writings well.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Asit guin, tinsukia

    Thu, Jul 14 2011

    Gita is not a holy book. It is a book of incomplete polemics. Arjun raised Qs on the neccessity of war. Sri-krishna had not answered all his questions properly. Instead, Krishna applied hipnotic techniques to serve his emergency purpose. Temporary purpose may be served, but Arjun's Qs also do have merit, which remained un-answered. Those who are serious about Gita, they should start Gita's debate on requirement of war again and debate should continue till achievement of logical conclusion. Till then use of Gita as a holi-book is to be kept at halt.

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  • Vraj-jivan das, Russia /Siberia / Tomsk

    Tue, Jul 12 2011

    I believe that students should learn all the basic scriptures and to respect them, and then make a choice to learn more

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Propf.Sriram Karanth, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2011

    first of all let the Ministers and MLAs , Political leaders study Bhagawadgeeta, Qoran, Bible etc. Let there be a 15 minutes discourse each day in the parliament and Assemblies of all the relegion. Let them study and understand what is Hinduism. Is it a relegion. No,it is way of Life.
    100 quotes from Bhagawadgeeta, Quraon and Bible, and let teachers and students recite every day.It will help the students to assimilate the ethical values. Enlightened students, who can develop the enquiring power which is the need of the hour. We need yonger generation without inhibition. Let them come up with courage and confidence. As I see if Bhagawadgeeta is understood properly (it requires a mental ability to assimilate the essence of Bhagawadgeeta) Any religious Granths should be studied with non judgemental attitude, with open mind. It this principle of Hinduism enabled other relegion to come and establish in India. Knowledge of soul, mind can not be understood by the people who studied materialism. More over only those person who read Bhagawadgeeta and assimilated the contents can criticize . As per my understanding Bhagawadgeeta is a best Management Book, It should be incorporated in Management studies. Look at Sri Krishna, Inspite of various problems. hardships he never lost is equanimity. What is requaired to management students is power of equanimity, confidence, responding power, solving the problems, decision making etc.

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  • R Shetty, Mangalore

    Mon, Jul 11 2011

    Mr. Prabhakar Mendon, Katapadi/Abu Dhabi. Why you think Geeta is asset of RSS or BJP? I think people commenting here should have a clarity about what they are objecting about? Is the objection is to the moral/values taught in Geeta or objected because it is proposed by BJP. I request those who suspect any wrong teachings in Geeta should read Shri Bagvadgeeta and understand it before commenting against it. I hope Daiji will publish this comments,as I have found many such comments are not published for the reason well known to Daiji.

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  • hassanmukha, mangalore/ksa

    Sun, Jul 10 2011

    Rightly said.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Louis D'Souza, Udupi/Kuwait

    Sun, Jul 10 2011

    Its not the children but Hindu Elders need to read Bhagavad Gita, so that they may change thier ways, stop attacking other religions and their holy places, accusing other religions about forcefull conversion for no reason.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Vinay, Udipi

    Sun, Jul 10 2011

    Hi All ,

    Schools in India , Please teach Kids not just the meaning , but also how to avoid and control , Anger , Jealousy , Greed , Lust , Anxiety , Furious , Crush , Fear , Envy , Indignation and other negative emotions. Teaching on any religious and spiritual lessons is parents responsibility at home . After all , Parents are responsible too. Take care.

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  • Praveen Kumar, Mangaluru/Bengaluru

    Sun, Jul 10 2011

    @Prabhakar Mendon, Katapadi/Abu Dhabi what's wrong in teaching Gita. Can Gita be taught in the countries like Pakistan, Afganistan, Taliban or in Abudhabi where you are staying??

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Francis, Moodbidri/Dubai

    Sun, Jul 10 2011

    Raman vikram, mlore, story books can keep in library to read for students, where we also use to read Maha Bharat and Ramayan in our primary school (Church School) then what is need to teach in schools? let me tell you our Christian teachers used to tell us the stories of Vishnu and his Avatars.

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  • Raghuram, Vivek Nagara/Dubai

    Sun, Jul 10 2011

    I symphthise with Raman Vikram who perehaps donot know that Geeta stands with the basic philosopy of Hindutva - a way of leaving that was preached by God Srikrishna to Arjuna. Anyway, my intention here is only to correct a felloowmen who seems to be challenging the Religious book and calls it as a Story book.

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  • Louis D'Souza, Udupi/Kuwait

    Sun, Jul 10 2011

    This is forcefull conversion, Where are the police? Why not taking action? India is cosmopolitan country, no way any one can force to do such things, Our politicians must learn Bhagavad Gita before they teach it school children. All religious matters should be left for the parents and not for the teachers in school. Govt schools are made for every one and not for a certain relegion.

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  • raman vikram, mlore

    Sun, Jul 10 2011

    Why the hell r the people confusing geeta as a religious book. its just a great epic or a story book with lot of values which is meaningful and worth to imbibe in your day today life. quran and bible are the religious books or directly connected with religion.

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  • Prabhakar Mendon, Katapadi/Abu Dhabi

    Sun, Jul 10 2011

    @Ravi Kadri, Mangalore

    Yes we all know that India has 80% of hindu population. But India is not a hindu country as per our constitution.

    India is a country of Hindus,muslims,christians,Sikhs etc etc.

    RSS saffron brigades agenda is to convert India into 100% Hindu country and as a Hindu Nation. This is reason why they want to preach Gita in schools.

    RSS dream will never come true.

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  • Arun Menezes, Kallianpur / Kuwait

    Sun, Jul 10 2011

    Mr.Ravi Kadri, it is simple, teach it to 80% of the population and not 100%. 20% of 150 crores is 30 Crores which is not a JOKE and you cannot ask 30 crore people to forcably read and study the Gita (With all due respect)

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  • Lancelot N. Tauro, Manglore - Doha Qatar

    Sat, Jul 09 2011

    There are Veda shale, Vyasa Ashram, Harikatha Bhavan can make use of teaching Bhagwat Gita holy words complusory to Hindu faiths.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Norbert, Mysore

    Sat, Jul 09 2011

    If the BJP Govt wants to teach Bhagvadgita,let it start some Bhagvadgita Centres to teach.And not misuse schools for it.Safronising schools is very very wrong and condemnable.So Vishwesha Kageri should stop this
    communal programme in a secular
    country.BJP has better works to do then pleasing Sangh Pariwar outfits and their leaders.Let them teach Bhagvadgita to all the BJP Ministers and MLAs first.How many of them know Bhagvadgita???

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Ravi Kadri, Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 09 2011

    It is a biggest joke In India where 80% population is Hindu's if essence of Gita cannot be taught, where else ..????. This is ultimate weakness of Democracy.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • lukas, malpe

    Sat, Jul 09 2011

    All relegious books should be taught in temples, churches, and mosque. but all students should have choice of their own .so all Hindu organisation should allow all children including hindu student to choice of thier own.this is governement hiden agenda of appoint rich class people in governmant school.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Rakesh Shreshta, Amritsar/Bangalore

    Sat, Jul 09 2011

    There is poverty in India because the poojari's of the temples are controlling the largest part of the population which is Hindus. They are coaxed into giving to the temples and the temples are stashing away the cash and jewellery of the poor devotees. I would like people who are concerned to open the eyes of these people to the truth and only a fellow Hindu can do that without drawing controversy. As for the Bhagavadgita. it is the duty of the parents to teach their children without compulsion to the people from other faiths. Not many from other faiths would be interested in fairy tales, the reason why I converted to Christianity.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • kannadiga, mangalore/dubai

    Sat, Jul 09 2011

    It is better that BJP govt consideing also study of Ramayana, mahabharatha and history of all temples in Karnataka etc in govt schools, since these govt schools are fit only for this.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • K P RAO, UK

    Sat, Jul 09 2011

    I think the Legislators should listen to Geetha everyday read by the speaker.CM should perform a pooja at the vidana sowda and all should go home together saying GOVINDAA......

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Kamal Taiyyeb, Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 09 2011

    We welcome the initiative as long as it includes the Quran and the Bible along with the Bhagavad Gita with equal importance to all three. Teaching Bhagavad Gita alone would be certainly saffronization of education by the BJP govt. This would surely create unrest and misunderstanding among various communities for no reason. What does the BJP govt. want to achieve by enforcing its own communal and religious agenda on the people of the state.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Arun Menezes, Kallianpur / Kuwait

    Sat, Jul 09 2011

    This is the real conversion by force, forcing someone to recite the holy scriptures of Hindu Religion by force. Where is the Bajrang Dal and Sri Rama Sene, why don't you protest against such forced religious activities!!!

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • arjun, India

    Sat, Jul 09 2011

    agree with Mumtaz Ali Khan..Only underlying common principle of core religion need to be taught at schools..I studied in a school where we were taught essence of all religions..we also had special Friday prayers time for our friends and day off during religious events. We also used to discuss significance of religious festival of each religion..only a good teacher can drive such thoughts...

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  • Vivek D.S., Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 09 2011

    India is a secular country.So BJP Govt should not play with other
    communities.If Bhagavad Geeta is taught in the schools,Education Minister Kageri should allow Priests and Mavlies to teach Bible and Khuran in the schools.Otherwise stopteaching Bhagvad Geeta in schools immediately.Many Govt schools have no proper buildings and other facilioties for the children.First
    see to the development of the school instead of safronising them

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Sadique, Dubai

    Sat, Jul 09 2011

    Why other parties are not supporting this issue. This is BJP and RSS agneda for saffernisation of education.If implemented will have very bad impact on society.

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Praveen , Kavoor / Muscat

    Sat, Jul 09 2011

    All HOLY books preeaches same. GOD IS ONE. The schoos are educational institutions & not the religious schools/ ashrams/ madrasa / catechesim / sunday school. We need to differentiate between these religious centres & educational institituions. From years & years the Edu. institutions are teaching/preaching moral & ethical values, but depends on the student who follwos it in a right spirit.

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse


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