'Moral Instruction': Chhattisgarh HC Dismisses Plea Opposing Gayatri Mantra In Schools
Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Stating that no bar on giving moral instruction in school, the Chhattisgarh High Court recently rejected a petition challenging a June 12 State government circular directing the recital of Saraswati Vandana, Gayatri Mantra, Guru Mantra and other Hindu prayers in schools.
The petition filed by former Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman Abdul Salam Rizvi, former Minority Department chairman Mahendra Chhabda and activists had opposed the circular, challenging its constitutional validity.
The high court, however, called the plea premature, stating the petitioners failed to demonstrate any actual violation of fundamental rights or any instance of students being compelled to participate in the prescribed recitations.
The circular directed government schools across the State to conduct the recital of the National Anthem, National Song, Deep Mantra, Saraswati Vandana and Guru Mantra during the morning assembly. It also directed reading biographies of great personalities, recitation of the Bhojan Mantra before mid-day meals, and the Gayatri Mantra and Shanti Mantra before dispersal.
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The court observed that a plain reading of the circular did not indicate any compulsory participation by students or any interference with their freedom of religion.
