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Journalism of Courage
Former Vice President and BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu suggested making Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita a part of the educational curriculum for students while addressing youngsters and politicians at an event in Pune on Wednesday morning.
“There is no politics in the New Education Policy 2020– it is about our own tradition, culture and a way of life. In fact, I feel that the Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita should be part of the educational curriculum to give moral character to the youngsters,” said Naidu, who was the chief guest for the inauguration of the Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad (BCS) at MIT World Peace University in Kothrud.
“I am not worried about people criticising this. The Ramayana and Mahabharata are great epics and you learn so many things from them. The entire country is going to rejoice with the new temple inauguration in Ayodhya. Rama is the ideal ruler, ideal human being, not a God. That is why Mahatma Gandhi said ‘Rama Rajya’,” said Naidu.
In what could be seen as an allusion to the suspension of Parliamentarians, he said legislators must set an example for citizens.
“Sometimes they (parliamentarians) get disillusioned and members go into the well of the House, tear up papers or break the mic…Sometimes, you can become angry and agitated, but agitate within democratic means. Protest from your seat.”
He added, “Either you talk it out or you walk out otherwise any break out will lead to an all-out of democracy.”
Around 10,000 politically and socially active students from almost 450 universities have gathered for the three-day youth conclave from January 10 to 12 which will see participation of students, policy makers, politicians and leaders in deliberation over various topics.
Even after 75 years of independence, 18% of Indians are living below the poverty line, said the BJP leader while speaking about the challenges currently being faced by the country.
“Around 18-20% of the population cannot read or write. Women who constitute 50% of the population do not have adequate representation in the legislature. In certain parts of India, there is a lot of caste discrimination. We have economic disparities and an urban rural divide. We must come together to bridge this gap,” said the former Vice-President.
