Bangalore: Will Seek Public Opinion on Teaching Gita in Schools: Gowda

Bangalore, Jan 8 (PTI): The BJP government in Karnataka will shortly seek public opinion on teaching of Bhagvad Gita in primary and secondary schools, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said today.

"Before introducing the Bhagvad Gita in primary and secondary schools, the government will have a thorough discussion with a cross-section of the society. We do not want any controversy in this regard," Gowda told reporters.

"Gita does not belong to a particular religion or a sect as its teachings are universal. It aims at refining mankind and other religions have appreciated its philosophical teachings," Gowda said on the sidelines of 'Bhagavad Gita Abhiyan' organised by various religious mutts here.

He expressed confidence that all sections of people would agree to the government's proposal to include Gita in school syllabus. "It is already being taught in Madhya Pradesh," he observed.

Karnataka High Court in August last had disposed of a petition challenging the state government's controversial circular on teaching of Bhagvad Gita in primary and higher secondary schools. The government had maintained that the Bhagvad Gita programme was neither sponsored nor funded by it.

Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Visveshwara Hegde Kageri's reported remarks at a function in Kolar in July that those opposing the programme should leave the country had triggered a controversy.