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Bhagavad Gita to be included in Karnataka schools soon: State education minister

Nagesh has been mulling the inclusion of Bhagavad Gita in schools and colleges and had also courted controversy after claiming that the Gita, unlike the Quran and the Bible, is not a religious book, instead it teaches ‘values of life’. 

BC Nagesh, KarnatakaHe also added that the Gita will be part of moral education from this year. Express photo by Bhupendra Rana/Representative Image

Karnataka school education minister BC Nagesh, responding to a question by legislative member MK Pranesh during the ongoing assembly session at Vidhana Soudha on Monday, said that the government will introduce Bhagavad Gita in schools and colleges from this academic year itself. He also added that the Bhagavad Gita will be part of moral education from this year and a committee will be formed soon to take a decision on the same.

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Nagesh has been mulling the inclusion of Bhagavad Gita in schools and colleges and had also courted controversy after claiming that the Gita, unlike the Quran and the Bible, is not a religious book, instead it teaches ‘values of life’.

Condemning Nagesh’s statements, Ajay Kamath, secretary, All India Democratic Students Organization (AIDSO), Karnataka said, “In the name of moral education, the government is trying to sneak religious matters into education by proposing to teach Bhagavad Gita. Ancient education system has for centuries kept the majority of people, including the poor, dalits, oppressed and women, away from learning and receiving education.”

He also added that including the Gita is a ploy to introduce unscientific, old and blind ideas among students and create a rift among them for political gains.

Sanath Prasad is a senior sub-editor and reporter with the Bengaluru bureau of Indian Express. He covers education, transport, infrastructure and trends and issues integral to Bengaluru. He holds more than two years of reporting experience in Karnataka. His major works include the impact of Hijab ban on Muslim girls in Karnataka, tracing the lives of the victims of Kerala cannibalism, exploring the trends in dairy market of Karnataka in the aftermath of Amul-Nandini controversy, and Karnataka State Elections among others. If he is not writing, he keeps himself engaged with badminton, swimming, and loves exploring. ... Read More

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