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Schools in Madhya Pradesh at risk of "Hinduisation"
by Nirmala Carvalho
The chief minister of the State raises the introduction of the Bhagvad Gita, the Hindu holy book, at all schools. Opposition and criticism of the Catholic world: "Alarming move, exclusively for the elections, but may create confusion and disorder."
Bhopal (AsiaNews) - Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, has reaffirmed his intention to introduce the study of the Bhagvad Gita, the sacred text of Hindus, in all State schools. The statement has raised a hornet's nest and the Congress Party - the opposition in Madhya Pradesh - considers the move an attempt to "Hinduise" education. According to Msgr. Leo Cornelio, archbishop of Bhopal, with this move the chief minister "wants to please his party, the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in the upcoming elections." Already in 2010, Chouhan had proposed to introduce the Gita as required text.
Since 2008, the Government of Madhya Pradesh is headed by the BJP, a party that supports ultra-nationalist groups and movements of Hindu extremists belonging to the wide umbrella of the Sangh Parivar, such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bajrang Dal, responsible for numerous episodes of violence, anti-Christian persecution and discrimination that occur in India.
"This attempt to 'Hinduize' education - says the archbishop - is alarming, because it will create confusion and disorder. It will sow divisions among the impressionable minds of young people leading to drastic consequences”. Msgr. Cornelius points out: "While acknowledging the good moral values taught in the Bhagvad Gita, we wonder why the selective choice of this sacred Hindu text, which is not acceptable to all. But above all, India is a secular country and this move goes against all principles of our secular country. "