Mumbai (AsiaNews) - In all the state institutions and madrassas (Islamic schools) in Madhya Pradesh the study of the Bhagavad Gita, the sacred poem considered one of the pillars of Hinduism, is now mandatory. This was established by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a Hindu ultra-nationalist party in the State government, with a norm issued on August 1 last. The reactions among Madhya Pradesh's minority communities has been immediate, in particular the Muslim community, who accuse chief minister Shivrj Singh Chouhan of wanting to "Hinduize" centers of education.
The new rule requires - starting from the academic year 2013/2014 - the reading of a chapter of the Gita in the study hour dedicated to "general hindi", in particular for the 3rd and 4th class in English (8-10 years) and the 1st and 2nd class in Urdu (6-8 years).
According to Msgr. Leo Cornelio SVD, Archbishop of the Diocese of Bhopal, the move is primarily political: "With the state elections [October 2013, ed] and General elections [July 2014] closer and closer, the BJP is doing everything to appease the most radical Hindu elements, so as to ensure an electorate more solid".
The amendment to the anti-conversion law, pending signature, also fits this framework. In theory, similar measures should prohibit the conversions obtained by force or money. "The Church - the prelate tells AsiaNews - has repeatedly stated that a transition from one religion to another is not valid if it comes about through coercion or corruption." However, he adds, these laws "are exploited to persecute minorities," producing false accusations of forced conversions.
