Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, Jul 16: The state Government’s decision to introduce Bhaghvad Gita preaching in schools has been opposed SFI activists in front of deputy commissioner’s office here.

A memorandum was also submitted to the Chief Minister as well as Governor with this regard on Thursday July 14. In the appeal they have urged that the Government to withdraw their plan of teaching Bhaghvad Gita in Schools mmediately. The members also urged that the police case filed against the SFI activists in Bellary should be withdrawn

Speaking on the occasion, Faniraj of Karnataka Komu Sauharda Vedike said that the State education minister Kageri had earlier stated that the Government has not made the preaching compulsory but Bellary zone Education Officer (BEO) has issued an order to all the schools to teach Bhaghvad Gita and train the teachers on the same.

Government is cheating the people by not being honest, he alleged. If any Mutt preaches Bhagavad Gita we do not have any objection as the Mutt has the right to do so. But there is no provision in the constitution for the government to teach religious scriptures in their aided schools, he stressed.

Louis Lobo, president of the Udupi unit of the association, International Federation of Karnataka Christian Association (IKFCA) said that, if it is the intention of the Government that by teaching of religious scriptures there is benefit for the children, then let them also teach Bible and Quran, he urged.

Jayan Malpe from Karnataka Dalitha Sangarsha Samiti said that the state government is supporting the preaching of Gita in Schools with the intention of destroying the communal harmony. Karnataka Dalitha Sauharda Vedike’s district correspondent G Rajashekar said that, teaching of religion in school is inexcusable, where actually the knowledge and science should be taught.

That Government which represents all the religions but works only on behalf of one religion shows that it is not working in the interest of the people. If the government does not change its decision then fierce fight will have to be conducted against it, he warned.

Professor Cyril Mathais, president of Udupi district minority vedike proposed the vote of thanks. Louis Almeida and Richard D’Souza of Catholic Sabha Udupi province, Akbar Ali of Jamait-E-Islami, Husain Kodibengre of Students Fedaration of India,Sundari Nejar of Dalit Women’s Union, Vasu Nejar and various organisations representatives were present. Komu Sauhardha Vedike Secretary Dinekara Bengre had co-ordinated the protest march meeting.