Gujarat Authorities’s New Curriculum Faces Backlash for Non secular Imbalance

Gandhinagar– In a transfer that has sparked important controversy, the Gujarat authorities has not too long ago launched the “Values and Rules of Bhagavad Gita” into the textbooks of lessons 6, 7, and eight throughout faculties.

This curriculum change has been met with substantial opposition from varied spiritual communities and organizations, most notably the Swayam Sainik Dal (SSD), which has voiced sturdy issues over the potential menace to India’s secular cloth.

The SSD has issued an pressing letter to the authorities, demanding the instant withdrawal of the newly launched syllabus within the textbooks of lessons 6, 7, and eight in Gujarat faculties.

The SSD emphasizes the necessity for equal illustration of all religions within the academic curriculum to uphold the secular cloth of the nation.

Memorandums are being submitted throughout the state to all district magistrates and schooling places of work, urging officers to withdraw the textbooks with instant impact.

Talking with The MooknayakSanjay Baudhh, a volunteer stated that the SSD’s demand is grounded within the basic rights enshrined within the Structure of India, notably the provisions associated to spiritual freedom and non-discrimination.

Article 25 ensures the liberty to profess, follow, and propagate faith, whereas Article 26 ensures the appropriate to handle spiritual affairs. Article 28 explicitly prohibits spiritual instruction in state-funded academic establishments, reinforcing the secular nature of Indian schooling.

The SSD argues that introducing a syllabus centered solely on the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu spiritual textual content, in a secular academic system the place college students from numerous spiritual backgrounds examine collectively, violates the ideas of equality and non-discrimination.

The group fears that such a transfer could sow seeds of spiritual intolerance and fanaticism, doubtlessly resulting in conflicts between totally different spiritual communities sooner or later.

In March 2022, the Gujarat authorities introduced within the state Meeting that the Bhagavad Gita would turn into a part of the college syllabus for lessons 6 to 12.

In December 2023, the Gujarat Authorities introduced the inclusion of religious ideas and values from the ‘Shrimad Bhagavad Gita’ as a supplementary textbook for lessons 6 to eight.

Schooling Minister Praful Pansheriya stated the initiative goals to reinforce college students’ ethical schooling and cultural consciousness.

He emphasised that incorporating the Bhagavad Gita into the curriculum would assist college students develop a way of pleasure and a deeper connection to India’s wealthy, numerous, and historical cultural and data traditions.

The minister highlighted that the brand new supplementary textbook, based mostly on the revered scripture, is designed to instil ethical values amongst college students. The primary half, supposed for lessons 6 to eight, has been distributed to colleges nationwide. Moreover, two extra components for lessons 9 to 12 are in growth.

The choice is reported to be alignment with the Nationwide Schooling Coverage (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes introducing each trendy and historical cultures, traditions, and data techniques to foster a way of pleasure amongst college students.

The SSD strongly advocates for an inclusive strategy to spiritual schooling, proposing that values and ideas from all main religions be included into the curriculum. This consists of teachings from:

By integrating the values and ideas from these numerous spiritual texts, the SSD believes that college students will acquire a broader, extra inclusive understanding of ethical and moral values, fostering a spirit of unity and mutual respect amongst totally different spiritual communities.

Of their letter addressed to the Governor of Gujarat, the President of India, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, and the Minister of Schooling, the SSD has referred to as for the instant removing of the Bhagavad Gita syllabus.

They warn that failure to take action could lead to widespread protests and agitation by minority spiritual communities, holding the federal government administration accountable for any ensuing unrest.

The SSD’s letter displays a broader concern for sustaining secularism and guaranteeing that the tutorial system respects and represents the varied spiritual panorama of India. The group urges the federal government to rethink its resolution and work in direction of an inclusive and balanced strategy to spiritual schooling in faculties.