Making Hindu religious texts a formal part of the school routine goes against the country’s constitutional mandate.
NEW DELHI – The recent decision by the Uttarakhand government to mandate recitation of shlokas from the Hindu holy book Bhagavad Gita in state schools raises serious concerns over the erosion of India’s secular and pluralistic foundations.
While proponents argue it will instil moral values, the move risks alienating students from non-Hindu communities and turning schools into spaces of subtle religious indoctrination.
India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and explicitly promotes secularism in governance and public education. Making Hindu religious texts a formal part of the school routine goes against this constitutional mandate. Public schools, which serve children of all faiths, should be neutral spaces where no single religion is privileged over others.
Furthermore, the forced imposition of Gita shlokas may create discomfort or a sense of exclusion among Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, or atheist students who may not identify with Hindu beliefs. In a state-run classroom, the decision risks reinforcing majoritarianism, rather than nurturing unity in diversity — a core Indian ideal.
Education policy should focus on critical thinking, ethics drawn from a wide range of cultures and philosophies, and respect for all religions rather than privileging one. If the aim is to teach values, there are secular frameworks — including teachings of Gandhi, Ambedkar, or even global moral philosophy — that can better serve the pluralistic character of Indian society.
Introducing Gita shlokas in schools may also set a precedent for further politicisation of education along religious lines. Such decisions, often backed by right-wing ideological agendas, do not reflect the inclusive ethos of a democratic society and may deepen communal divisions.
Classrooms must remain spaces of learning, not arenas of cultural dominance.
According to Uttarakhand government officials, the recitation of Gita shlokas aligns with the objective of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami of the BJP government in Uttarakhand on Wednesday hailed the decision, unmindful of the order being against the constitutional mandate.
