Plan to send Hindu texts to Kashmir schools axed

After triggering a row, the Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) administration yesterday withdrew an order asking all educational institutions in the state to purchase “sufficient copies” of the Urdu translation of the Hindu texts Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana for their libraries.

The circular, dated October 22, signed by Under Secretary to the Government School Education Department, Mohammad Yakub Malek, seeking orders of the Hindu texts sparked a controversy in the Muslim-majority state.

“The School Education Department, Higher Education Department, Director Colleges, Director Libraries and Culture Department will consider purchasing sufficient number of copies each of Urdu version of Shrimad Bhagwat Gita and Koshur Ramayan wrote by Shri Sarwanand Premi for making these available in schools/colleges and public libraries etc of the state. I am directed to request you to take further action as per rules and following all codal formalities required,” the circular read.

Order withdrawn

According to the official order, the decision was taken on October 4.

Former J & K chief minister Omar Abdullah yesterday slammed the circular and questioned the rationale behind it.

“Why just the Gita and Ramayana? If religious texts are to be placed in schools, colleges and government libraries [and I am not convinced that they need/ should be] then why is it being done selectively? Why are other religions being ignored?” he said.

After the backlash, the order was withdrawn on the directions of J & K Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subramaniyam.