No harm in teaching Bhagavad Gita in schools, but other texts should also be included: Harish Rawat

Congress leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, on Wednesday, said that there is no harm in teaching the Bhagavad Gita in schools, but suggested this should not be a one-sided decision, and other texts should also be included.

He, however, didn’t elaborate on what other texts he wanted the state government to include with the Bhagavad Gita.

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“The Bhagavad Gita is about Karmayoga. The teachings of Karmayoga are always appropriate. There is no harm in including good, inspiring things from religious texts in the syllabus. However, this should not be one-sided. Other texts also contain valuable teachings, and they should be included as well,” Rawat told a news agency.

However, the Congress leader also cautioned about the negative impact of the move if it was being done with the perspective of advancing the agenda of saffronisation of the education system.

“If the work is being done with the perspective of advancing a saffronisation agenda, it will have a negative impact on our education system. The new education policy has become a symbol of saffronisation, and its dangers are going to be very serious for the country and education,” he added.

His remarks came a day after Uttarakhand schools began imparting the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

Students of both government and private schools across the state began their day with the formal recitation of verses from the Srimad Bhagavad Gita and learning their meanings during the morning assembly.

Textbooks on the Bhagavad Gita will be introduced in government schools from the next academic session.