Not averse to include other scriptures in syllabus: Ram Bilas Sharma

CHANDIGARH: Days after slamming those who opposed Haryana government's move to introduce Bhagvad Gita in school curriculum, Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma today said the Khattar regime was not averse to incorporate teachings from other religious scriptures too.

"The message given out in different scriptures is same, that of peace, love, brotherhood and compassion. India is a pluralistic society, where people of different castes, tribes, communities, religions, languages and customs, co-exist," he said.

Sharma said over the centuries various gurus and saints have taught humanity to live in peace and love each other.

" Meerabai, Saint Kabir, the Sikh gurus and others gave the universal message of peace and brotherhood," he said.

Asked about what teachings from other scriptures can be incorporated in the curriculum, the minister said, "This will be decided by the experts."

Two weeks ago, Sharma had hit out at those opposing BJP government's move to introduce Bhagvad Gita in school curriculum in Haryana, saying it was not a religious book and that its teachings will be part of moral education.

"It (Gita) is knowledge, science, it is curiosity, it is solution, Gita is life...it contains the dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. We decided to included Gita teaching in curriculum as part of moral education," Sharma had said.

The minister was responding to charges from various quarters including from some Opposition parties that, BJP government in Haryana was going ahead with "saffronisation" of education system.