Notice to north civic body over ‘Gayatri Mantra’ recitals

THE CIVIC BODY RUNS 765 PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHERE AROUND 2.2 LAKH STUDENTS

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NEWDELHI: The Delhi Minorities Commission has issued a notice to the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (North DMC) over a circular issued by the agency for recital of ‘Gayatri Mantra’ during morning assembly in its schools. The civic body, clarified on Sunday that it is “not mandatory” for any of its schools.

Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC), chairman, Zafarul Islam Khan on Sunday said that last month the civic body had sent a circular to the schools run by its education department that the students should recite ‘Gayatri Mantra’ in the morning prayers.

The civic body runs 765 primary schools where around 2.2 lakh students are enrolled.

“Teaching only a particular religion’s values is not fair. By this they (civic authorities) are creating superstitious beliefs. It (Gayatri Mantra) may be sacred for a particular group of believers but not for all students. They should make some arrangement that every religion’s noble teachings are communicated to students in the morning prayers at schools,” Khan said.

He added the notice was sent to the education department of the north corporation earlier this month.

The notice asked civic body to explain “why a circular has been issued to its schools to make students recite Gayatri Mantra in morning assemblies.”

“Is this not against our secular polity and will this not cause division in the ranks of students and teachers as many belong to minority communities who may not like to recite mantras of religious nature,” the notice said.

Chairman of education committee of the corporation, Ritu Goel said she had no information about the notice. “Recitation of Gayatri Mantra at our schools is not at all mandatory. We have already clarified it,” she said.

The circular, dated September 6, instructed schools for recital of national anthem, prayer, Gayatri Mantra besides patriotic slogans in morning assemblies in schools. It also had directions on personal hygiene, moral education, general awareness and physical exercise to be conducted in morning assemblies of schools.