There are controversies about a new directive by the government of Chhattisgarh, which requires learning of mantras as a part of the education curriculum or educational programme in government schools.
The tussle broke out after government schools restarted classes and conducted them at a new timetable. New routine means children are involved in learning time spent reciting the mantra: in morning assemblies, before lunch at midday, and before setting off to school in the evening.
The mandatory meal mantra is one of the newly introduced practices that has garnered much attention. The reason behind the initiative, the State authorities say, is to instill discipline, cultural values, patriotism and moral principles in students.
The Buddha mantle chanting promotes reigning over troubles and developing spiritual awareness for children, explained Ambedkarite Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai in defense of the decision. The practice will help in the evolution of value-based education and build responsibility and national pride among the school-going population may be the purpose from the government’s side.
But Congress led the opposition has strongly condemned the move. Congress media chairman in the state Sushil Anand Shukla attested that the government was trying to import ideological halo in the government schools. He pondered if instruction on other religious schools would also be provided if other religious songs were integrated into the school program.
The BJP, however, rejected the criticism and School Education Minister Gajendra Yadav alleged that the Congress was against the Indian culture. He said that the initiative is about the state’s culture and shouldn’t be politicized.
This has become a wider controversy around the issue of education, culture and secularism and both sides have been blaming each other. After the policy is drafted, it would continue to be an important issue for Chhattisgarh politics.