<p> Exactly a year after the suggestion of introducing the Bhagavad Gita in school curricula became a raging controversy, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Sunday said the State government is still open to the idea. <br /><br />He, however, said a final decision will be taken after holding extensive public consultations across the State. Participating in a state-level “Bhagavad Gita Abhiyana” organised by the Swarnavalli Mutt in Bangalore, Gowda said the Gita “is a source of inspiration and guidance to millions around the world.”<br /><br />He was confident that there would be no opposition to introducing the sacred text in the syllabus for school students this time. He said the Gita is not confined to one religion. It has more to do with human values and imbibing the Hindu scripture in the classrooms would help in inculcating moral values among students. It is also a means for achieving peace and harmony among the members of society, he said, drawing attention to Madhya Pradesh making it compulsory for students to study the Gita.<br /><br />He appreciated the efforts of Swarnavalli Mutt head Gangadharendra, whose organisation has been organising Gita classes in schools across the State for the last four years. The efforts of the organisation had courted controversy last year with several groups opposing a January 2011 order of the BJP government launching the programme in Kolar district. The January order of the deputy director public instruction, Kolar, permitted the conduct of classes on the Gita for school students. <br /><br />The Karnataka High Court in August last year disposed of a petition challenging the State government’s controversial circular on the teaching of the 700-verse Hindu scripture in primary schools, after the government asserted that the programme was not sponsored or funded by it.<br /><br />The Opposition Congress had accused the BJP of imposing saffron ideology on students. However, on Sunday, Union Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa supported the suggestion of introducing the Gita in schools. He said studying the Gita will help in inculcating ethical values among children.<br /><br />The Swarnavalli seer said more than 25 lakhs of books had been distributed by the organisation during the last four years. Pejawar Mutt seer Visveshatheertha and Suttur Mutt seer Shivaratri Deshikendra also participated in the programme. </p>
<p> Exactly a year after the suggestion of introducing the Bhagavad Gita in school curricula became a raging controversy, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Sunday said the State government is still open to the idea. <br /><br />He, however, said a final decision will be taken after holding extensive public consultations across the State. Participating in a state-level “Bhagavad Gita Abhiyana” organised by the Swarnavalli Mutt in Bangalore, Gowda said the Gita “is a source of inspiration and guidance to millions around the world.”<br /><br />He was confident that there would be no opposition to introducing the sacred text in the syllabus for school students this time. He said the Gita is not confined to one religion. It has more to do with human values and imbibing the Hindu scripture in the classrooms would help in inculcating moral values among students. It is also a means for achieving peace and harmony among the members of society, he said, drawing attention to Madhya Pradesh making it compulsory for students to study the Gita.<br /><br />He appreciated the efforts of Swarnavalli Mutt head Gangadharendra, whose organisation has been organising Gita classes in schools across the State for the last four years. The efforts of the organisation had courted controversy last year with several groups opposing a January 2011 order of the BJP government launching the programme in Kolar district. The January order of the deputy director public instruction, Kolar, permitted the conduct of classes on the Gita for school students. <br /><br />The Karnataka High Court in August last year disposed of a petition challenging the State government’s controversial circular on the teaching of the 700-verse Hindu scripture in primary schools, after the government asserted that the programme was not sponsored or funded by it.<br /><br />The Opposition Congress had accused the BJP of imposing saffron ideology on students. However, on Sunday, Union Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa supported the suggestion of introducing the Gita in schools. He said studying the Gita will help in inculcating ethical values among children.<br /><br />The Swarnavalli seer said more than 25 lakhs of books had been distributed by the organisation during the last four years. Pejawar Mutt seer Visveshatheertha and Suttur Mutt seer Shivaratri Deshikendra also participated in the programme. </p>
