The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to introduce Urdu version of Bhagavad Gita and Kashmiri version of Ramayan in all educational institutions of the state. These books will be kept available in the public libraries as well.
The decision has been taken in a meeting chaired by advisor to Governor B B Vyas on October 4.
In wake of the meeting, the administrative department of education has shot a letter to the directors of school education department in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
“The school education department will consider purchasing sufficient number of copies each of Urdu version of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and KoshurRamayan authored by Shri SarwanandPremi for making these available in schools,” reads an official communiqué dated 22.10.2018 sent by under-secretary school education department to directors, school education Kashmir/ Jammu.
Similar directions have been issued to higher education department, director libraries as well as the culture department of the state.
The officers have been asked to initiate further process after following all codal formalities required as per rules.
Meanwhile, director colleges Zahoor Ahmad Chatt expressed ignorance about the matter and said he was not part of the meeting. “I have not received any letter,” he said.
Director school education Kashmir (DSEK) G N Itoo said he didn’t receive the letter. “But I will check it with the department,” he said.
The decision to keep Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and KoshurRamayan in educational institutions comes months after the education department decided to introduce Vedic and Buddhist studies at the higher secondary level in the state. The proposal was mooted in June to chalk out the modalities. Meanwhile, former chief minister Omar Abdullah took to twitter and questioned why only selective religious books are to be placed in schools colleges and government libraries.
“Why just the Gita and Ramayana? If religious texts are to be placed in schools, colleges and government libraries (and I’m not convinced that they need/should be) then why is it being done selectively? Why are other religions being ignored,” he said.