From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 18: Former Chief Minister and State JD (S) President H D Kumaraswamy on Friday, March 18 strongly condemned the State Government’s move to introduce teaching of Bhagawad Gita in schools and said the move was politically motivated.

Speaking to media representative at Holenarasipura in Hassan district, he said the State Government should concentrate itself on providing good education and creating necessary infrastructural facilities for imparting quality education to all students.

The statement by Primary and Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh on introducing teaching of Gita in schools is completely aimed at pandering to religious polarisation with an eye on elections, Kumaraswamy said.

“I am a Hindu and come from a deeply religious Hindu family. Our parents and elders have taught us Gita since our childhood in our family. The Government’s job is providing good education and providing the necessary facilities to enable the children to shape their future. The academic curriculum should be devoted only to furthering this goal,” he said and reminded the people that his family’s Hindu faith and beliefs is known to all.

“The ruling BJP is raking up all these sensitive issues with an eye on elections,’’ he said pointing out that in the past education was restricted to only a certain class and others were denied it.

He said: “The same people who were responsible for denying education to others in the past are now creating the same kind of atmosphere and trying to introduce their narrow sectarian mindset in the educational system, which must be resisted.”

The former Chief Minister said there were several bottlenecks and drawbacks in children acquiring good education and the education system has serious problems. Instead of devoting its energies on tackling such problems and setting things right, the ruling BJP is creating unnecessary problems to divide society, he said.

Kumaraswamy wanted to know if the Bhagawad Gita has preached and advocated creating unrest and disharmony in the community. “The Gita says Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitha,” he said pointing out Sri Krishna advised Arjuna not to abandon his weapons and refuse to fight and fulfil his duties and obligations. ``It is necessary to solve the problems and not create them,’’ he said.

“Just because BJP ruled Gujarat has introduced teaching of Gita in schools, can Karnataka known for its egalitarian outlook and culture follow the example,’’ he said criticising Minister Nagesh and urged the government to concentrate on various problems affecting the State, especially unemployment and farm distress.