Bengaluru, Sep 20 (FN Agency) Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh on Monday said that the BJP government was mulling to teach Bhagavad Gita in schools and colleges from the current academic year across the state. He made the announcement on the floor of the state assembly while replying to BJP MLC MK Pranesh’s demand. “We are planning to begin teaching Bhagavad Gita from this academic year. It will be taught under a moral science subject,” Nagesh said. Discussions are underway and a decision will be taken soon by a committee, he added. The issue is likely to generate a lot of political heat, as opposition parties and others have raised objections to the teaching of Bhagavad Gita in schools and colleges. Nagesh had earlier stated that the teaching of Bhagavad Gita will be introduced on the lines of Gujarat state after consulting with educational experts.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had said that the government would start Gita teachings in schools and colleges. Minister for Large and Medium Industries Murugesh Nirani has stated that Bhagavad Gita has human values and children need to learn about those values. Tanveer Sait, senior Congress leader, stirred the hornet’s nest stating that introducing the Bhagavad Gita in the syllabus “is more dangerous than Covid pandemic”. Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said teaching of Bhagavad Gita will not fully empty stomachs. “The state is facing thousands of problems and the teachings of Bhagavad Gita won’t provide food for people,” he said. Opposition leader Siddaramaiah said: “We believe in Hindu religion and give equal respect to other religions. We do not have any objection to teaching Bhagavad Gita, Bible, Quran to children. But, children should be given quality education.”