Srinagar: A circular by the government which called for introduction of Urdu version of Bhagavad Gita and Kashmiri version of Ramayan in all educational institutions of the state, has been with drawn.
The Jammu and Kashmir police in a tweet said:
Circular issued by the education department regarding introduction of some religious books stands withdrawn ab initio under the orders of the chief secretary.
— J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) October 23, 2018
The circular issued on Monday had asked the education department to keep the books available in the public libraries as well. The decision, according to the circular, had been taken in a meeting chaired by advisor to Governor B B Vyas on October 4.“The school education department will consider purchasing sufficient number of copies each of Urdu version of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Koshur Ramayan authored by Shri Sarwanand Premi for making these available in schools,” read an official communiqué dated 22.10.2018 sent by under-secretary school education department to directors, school education Kashmir/ Jammu.
The decision however was questioned by many, including former chief minister Omar Abdullah. In a tweet Omar had asked why other religions have been ignored.
Why just the Gita & Ramayana? If religious texts are to be placed in schools, collages & 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? pic.twitter.com/UqxMG0NpMJ
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 22, 2018
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