Karnataka’s education minister, BC Nagesh, has said that the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scripture, will be taught in schools across the state from the next academic session. At a press conference on Monday, Nagesh announced that the Gita will be introduced as part of the moral science syllabus in schools in Karnataka.
“Moral education is the necessity of the hour and therefore stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata that help to inculcate moral qualities will be included in the syllabus,” Nagesh was quoted as saying by Deccan Herald.
Adding that former President APJ Abdul Kalam had spoken about the positive impact of the religious textbook, Nagesh said there was nothing wrong with people of different religions listening to the Bhagavad Gita while living it. The minister said the essence of the Gita to be taught in schools will soon be determined by the authorities.
Nagesh has advocated teaching the Gita in schools since the state government of Gujarat introduced the same in its school syllabus for grades 6 to 8. The minister said last month that the Bhagavad Gita was not just for Hindus, but for everyone.
He said the final decision to introduce Gita in schools will not be made until after consultation with experts. The Education Minister of Karnataka said that whatever is recommended by experts, be it the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, Ramayana, or the teachings in the Bible and the Qur’an, will be taught in moral sciences in schools.
The demand to include Gita in the school curriculum was also supported by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who recommended that every state in the country consider it. Recently, Joshi, a Lok Sabha MP from Dharwad in Karnataka, said the Gita contained many moral stories that could inspire the students as it taught morality ethics and responsibility for the welfare of society. He added that all states should follow Gujarat and teach the Bhagavad Gita in schools. The move to teach Gita in school was introduced by Gujarat as part of his effort to incorporate Indian culture and knowledge system into school education from 2022-23 academic session.
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