Naxals don’t want Bhagavat Gita in schools

Raipur: Naxals on Thursday opposed inclusion of Hindu scripture Bhagavat Gita in the school curriculum in Chhattisgarh, describing it an attempt by the state BJP government to “saffronise education”.

In a press release issued by Katekalyan Area Committee of CPI (Maoist), carrying out rebel activities in Chhattisgarh’s south Bastar district of Sukma, the ultras demanded a revision of the education policy by the state government by doing away with studies on Bhagavat Gita in schools.

“Teaching of shlokas of Bhagavat Gita in schools is unscientific. We are opposed to incorporation of the religious scripture in school curriculum,” the police said the press release, which has been circulated in form of leaflets in Katekalyan area in Sukma district, said.

This was the first time Maoists referred to an issue based on religion. Maoists also opposed the portacabin (mobile schools) system being promoted by the state government in interior Bastar. The rebels also demanded the state government to withdraw its decision to close down several schools in Bastar under its latest education policy.

Meanwhile, two suspected Naxals were late on Wednesday night gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur. The police said their bodies have been recovered.