The Maharashtra State Board draft proposal suggests that students study the lives of religious personalities and include readings from the Bhagavad Gita and Manache Shlok. Students under the state board school curriculum may soon be required to recite Manache Shlok (verses written by Ramdas Swami) and the twelfth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita as part of their language studies.
The state School Curriculum Framework (SCF), announced by the school education department in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP), has invited objections and suggestions from the public. The draft curriculum emphasizes the inclusion of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS).
Hinduphobics oppose the move of the Maharashtra State Board
Displaying his Hinduphobia, NCP founder Sharad Pawar stated, “I read about Manusmriti being in the revised syllabus. This shows the mentality of those in the government. Scholars from the education field should take a stand against this. If not, then several organizations won’t keep quiet.”
“They are trying to put their thoughts in young minds. I will speak to you as soon as the draft lands in my hands,” he added. Not to be left behind, Congress also displayed its anti-Hindu mentality against the Board’s decision. Nana Patole, Maharashtra Congress president, said his party will never tolerate Manusmriti in the syllabus, adding that further steps will be taken after reviewing the draft.
The draft proposal suggests that students study the lives of religious personalities, such as sages, and include readings from the Bhagavad Gita and Manache Shlok. Scholars have objected to including a verse from the Manusmriti for value studies, questioning its appropriateness.
According to the draft, students will explore contributions from Bharatiya scholars in mathematics, such as Bhaskaracharya and Aryabhatta. They will also learn about yoga and medical sciences pioneered by Charak, Sushrut, and Vagbhata.
Other State Boards that introduced Gita in the syllabus
Last year, Gujarat introduced the Bhagavad Gita into the syllabus. The Gujarat government launched a supplementary textbook on the Bhagavad Gita to foster a connection between students and Bharat’s cultural heritage.
“On the occasion of Gita Jayanti, Minister of State for Education Praful Pansheriya has declared that schoolchildren will be taught the fundamentals of the sacred text. He disclosed that kids from 6th to 8th grade learn it starting with the upcoming academic session next year. He also launched books for classes VI to VIII on 22nd December. The minister informed that the teachings of Lord Krishna concerning the universe and the environment will be available for students to learn. He informed that the decision is in line with the National Education Policy launched by the Central Government three years ago,” noted OpIndia.
There is an urgent need to decolonise the Bharatiya minds and the Maharashtra Board’s decision is a step in the right direction. For a long time, Hinduphobic leftists and INDI alliance parties such as NCP and Congress have kept students away from learning about rich Bharatiya culture and traditions in the name of secularism. It is high time to rectify the errors.
(Featured Image Source: Amar Ujala)
