Deoband says it is fine to teach Gita to students, but it should be optional

Muzaffarnagar: Scholars at the well-known Islamic seminary, Darul Uloom in Deoband, have said that they found 'nothing wrong' with teaching the 'Bhagvad Gita' in schools provided it is left optional and those who are not willing should not be forced to study it.

In response to the recent Gujarat government decision making the 'Bhagvad Gita' a part of the school syllabus from classes 6 to 12, Maulana Qari Ishaq Gora, the patron of Jamiat Dawat-ul Muslameen, a social organisation based in Deoband, said that the government must first get the students' consent and teach 'only those who are willing'.

"It is a good thing to read and know about the holy books of all faiths. I have read the holy book of my religion, and of other religions too. I have read the 'Gita'. But I feel that it is not appropriate to impose a religion or its holy texts on anyone," he said.

Maulana Gora further said that the "school is a temple of learning, not a temple to propagate the ideology of a particular religion".

He further stated that, "The Karnataka high court, in its recent observation on the issue of 'hijab', had said that the 'school will run by uniform and not by any religious practice'. So, if we go by the court, is it appropriate to include 'Gita' in the school curriculum?"

Mufti Asad Qasmi, a local religious scholar, also said that it would be "wrong to impose anything on young minds".

Following the Gujarat move, the Karnataka government has also hinted at mulling similar steps and the Primary and Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh had indicated on Friday teaching the scripture in state-run schools as part of "moral science" lessons. The Minister also said that the matter would be discussed with the chief minister and the text book committee members.