Religious lessons, Gita to be taught in Haryana schools

CHANDIGARH: Teachings of other religions along with Bhagavad Gita will be taught in state-run schools in Haryana in the current academic session, Haryana government said today after it had faced flak from opposition parties over its proposal to introduce the book in the curriculum.

"A book, which will include a chapter on 'Gita', will be rolled out on July 5 in Kurukshetra," Gurgaon-based State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Director Sneh Lata said.

"The book is ready and it will be launched on July 5," she said, adding that Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma will also be present on the occasion.

"The book in Hindi will have one chapter on Gita," she said, adding that the teachings of other religions including Islam, Christianity have also been included.

The lessons of Gita and other books of other religions will be meant for students studying in class six and above.

Earlier, the BJP government in the state had proposed to introduce Bhagavad Gita in school curriculum in the state as part of moral education but faced criticism from various quarters including from some opposition parties which had charged the government with "saffronisation the education system".