By Maktoob

The Chhattisgarh High Court on Thursday clarified that no child can be compelled to recite Hindu prayers in government schools, while disposing of a petition challenging a State government circular prescribing the recitation of Hindu prayers in schools.

Hearing the matter, Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad recorded the State government’s submission that although the June 12 circular had been issued, it had not yet been implemented. 

In light of this assurance, the Court disposed of the petition, granting liberty to the petitioners to approach it again if any child is compelled to participate in the recitation of the prayers.

The Court further observed that appropriate action would be taken if any such instance of compulsion is brought to its notice. 

The petition was filed by former Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman Abdul Salam Rizvi, former Minority Department chairman Mahendra Chhabda, and Bilaspur-based social activist Shafique Ahmed, who challenged the constitutional validity of the School Education Department’s June 12 circular.

The circular directed government schools across the State to conduct the recital of the National Anthem, National Song, Deep Mantra, Saraswati Vandana and Guru Mantra during morning assemblies. 

It also mandated the reading of biographies of eminent personalities, recitation of the Bhojan Mantra before mid-day meals, and the Gayatri Mantra and Shanti Mantra before students dispersed.

Challenging the circular, the petitioners argued that the mandatory inclusion of Saraswati Vandana, Gayatri Mantra, Guru Mantra and Shanti Mantra amounted to religious instruction in State-run schools, violating the constitutional principles of secularism and the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

“The mandatory inclusion of Saraswati Vandana, Gayatri Mantra, Guru Mantra and Shanti Mantra amounts to religious instruction and promotion of a particular religion within government schools. Hence, the impugned order is unconstitutional,” the petition stated.

This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.