U'khand mandates Gita recitation in govt. schools; Teachers’ group calls it unconstitutional
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has made the recitation of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita shlokas compulsory in morning assemblies across all government schools in the state.
According to an official order issued by Dr Mukul Kumar Sati, Director of Secondary Education, and cited by India Today, schools are instructed to recite one Gita shloka daily, along with an explanation of its meaning and scientific relevance for students.
Teachers have been asked to select a “Shloka of the Week,” display it with its meaning on the school notice board, and encourage students to learn and reflect on it. At the end of the week, discussions and student reflections will be part of classroom activities.
The Education Department stated that the teachings must not remain limited to textbooks but should influence students’ behaviour and attitudes.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed the move, calling the Gita a “timeless source of knowledge.” He added, “This is Devbhoomi, and it is important for our children to understand and draw inspiration from it.”
However, the decision has drawn criticism from sections of the teaching community. Sanjay Kumar Tamta, president of the Scheduled Caste-Scheduled Tribe Teachers’ Association, called the order “anti-Constitutional diktat.”
Speaking to reporters in Dehradun, Tamta said that the Gita is a religious text, and preaching religion in government schools goes against Article 28(1) of the Constitution, which prohibits religious instruction in state-funded institutions.
“We have written to the education department to withdraw this order. Otherwise, we will move the court to remind the government that it is a violation of the Constitution,” The Telegraph quoted Tamta as saying.
Tamta argued that government schools serve students from diverse religious backgrounds, and imposing the teachings of a specific religion is inappropriate. He stated that the association would oppose the order across the state.
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Unidentified men set fire to TVK campaign office near Srirangam
Tiruchirapalli (PTI): A campaign office of the actor Vijay-led TVK was allegedly torched by unidentified miscreants in Kamanayakkanpalayam village near Srirangam in the early hours of Friday, police said.
According to the police, the damage is minimal. Fire had engulfed the thatched roof providing shade at the entrance of the building that served as the party’s election office for the Srirangam constituency.
While on social media, a CCTV footage of two unidentified men fleeing on motorbike is being circulated as the culprits, police said the video footage is yet to be verified.
Based on a complaint lodged by TVK, the Pettaivaithalai Police have registered a case and initiated a search for the perpetrators.
திருவரங்கம் தொகுதியில் த.வெ.க வேட்பாளரின் தேர்தல் அலுவலகம் மர்ம நபர்களால் தீவைக்கப்பட்டு சேதப்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. @TNelectionsCEO @ECISVEEP#TVKVijay #தமிழகவெற்றிக்கழகம் pic.twitter.com/ImDZfTkuAq
— Thanjavur_District_Head (TVK) (@TVK_Thanjai) May 1, 2026
