Circular that proved short lived
Govt withdraws order on introduction of Gita, Ramayana in edu institutions
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday withdrew a circular calling for introduction of Urdu version of Bhagavad Gita and Kashmiri version of Ramayan in all educational institutions of the state.
“The Communication No: Edu/Genl/35/2013 dated: 22-10-2018 issued by the School Education Department to the Director School Education Kashmir/Jammu has been withdrawn ab-initio on the directions of the Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam,” a government spokesman said.
The circular issued yesterday had asked the education department to keep the books available in the public libraries as well.
The decision, according to the circular, had been taken in a meeting chaired by advisor to Governor B B Vyas on October 4.
“The school education department will consider purchasing sufficient number of copies each of Urdu version of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and KoshurRamayan authored by Shri SarwanandPremi for making these available in schools,” read an official communiqué dated 22.10.2018 sent by under-secretary school education department to directors, school education Kashmir/ Jammu.
Similar directions have been issued to higher education department, director libraries as well as the culture department of the state, the communiqué said.
The officers have been asked to initiate further process after following all codal formalities required as per rules, it added.
Interestingly, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah questioned why only selective religious books are to be placed in schools, colleges and government libraries.
“Why just the Gita and Ramayana? If religious texts are to be placed in schools, colleges and government libraries (and I’m not convinced that they need/should be) then why is it being done selectively? Why are other religions being ignored,” he said, in a tweet.
However, the government came under criticism for revoking the order instead of explaining its intention.
“If the government had no wrong intentions then it should not have withdrawn the order within 24 hours. It simply indicates that government wanted to rage controversy,” said a top official in education department.
Earlier in morning, the announcement was made by Director General of Police (DGP) in a tweet which raised question mark on government.
“Why police clarified about this issue. The information should have been released by government not Police,” an official said.
KV Correspondent
