Bangalore: The BJP government in Karnataka
will shortly seek public opinion on teaching of Bhagvad Gita
in primary and secondary schools, Chief Minister DV Sadananda
Gowda said on Sunday.
"Before introducing the Bhagvad Gita in primary and
secondary schools, the government will have a thorough
discussion with a cross-section of the society. We do not want
any controversy in this regard," Gowda told reporters.
"Gita does not belong to a particular religion or a sect
as its teachings are universal. It aims at refining mankind
and other religions have appreciated its philosophical
teachings," Gowda said on the sidelines of `Bhagavad Gita
Abhiyan` organised by various religious mutts here.
He expressed confidence that all sections of people would
agree to the government`s proposal to include Gita in school
syllabus. "It is already being taught in Madhya Pradesh," he
observed.
Karnataka High Court in August last had disposed of a
petition challenging the state government`s controversial
circular on teaching of Bhagvad Gita in primary and higher
secondary schools. The government had maintained that the
Bhagvad Gita programme was neither sponsored nor funded by it.
Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Visveshwara
Hegde Kageri`s reported remarks at a function in Kolar in July
that those opposing the programme should leave the country had
triggered a controversy.
PTI
