Supreme Court judge Justice A.R. Dave’s suggestion that the Bhagavad Gita should be taught in schools from Class 1 onwards should be implemented. Its teachings are secular in nature. Jawaharlal Nehru found the “… spiritual foundations of human existence” enshrined in it. Poet Anwar Jalalpuri, the translator of the Gita into Urdu, saw similarities between the Koran and the Gita. The study of the Bhagavad Gita is mandatory for students of Seton Hall University, Newark. Let our children also get its benefits.
A. Gajanana,
Bangalore
There is nothing wrong in Justice Dave advocating the inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita, but what is unpalatable is the way in which he has voiced his opinion. By saying that had he been a dictator, he would have introduced the text in schools he has only done more damage to the religious book.
People in public life, particularly those in the judiciary, should be careful while passing comments on religion. As the CPI (M) has rightly pointed out, Justice Dave’s comments are quite unwarranted.
Tharcius S. Fernando,
Chennai
The Bhagavad Gita is more than a book. But introducing it compulsorily in Class 1 is no way to teach the values contained in it. Students will treat the book casually. The Gita should not be made another subject in which students are required to score pass marks.
Kovid Saini,
Varanasi
Justice Dave has come out as a good example of how people in exalted positions too sometimes irresistibly try to espouse a certain cause or promote a line of thinking. We are a secular democracy that prides itself in its religious diversity. Justice Dave could have included the Koran, the Bible and other sacred books too in his ‘prescription.’
G. David Milton,
Maruthancode
