The Gujarat High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the state government’s decision to incorporate principles from the Bhagavad Gita into the school curriculum, labeling the petition as “propaganda.” The bench, led by Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi, criticized the PIL for misconstruing the non-religious nature of the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
During the proceedings, the court articulated that the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, such as “Karma Kar Phal Ki Iksha Mat Kar” (focus on your actions, not the rewards), represent universal moral values rather than religious instructions. The decision aligns with a resolution passed by the Gujarat State Assembly in February 2024, mandating the teaching of Gita’s principles, shlokas, and prayers from classes 6 to 12.
The petitioner, represented by Advocate Isa Hakim of Jamiat Ulama-E-Hind, argued that according to the national education policy, educational content should encompass ethical and moral teachings from all religions to reflect India’s secular ethos. The Supreme Court has previously stated that education should promote universal values common to all religions, aimed at developing morally upright human beings.
Despite these arguments, the High Court maintained that the inclusion of Bhagavad Gita’s principles in the curriculum does not equate to religious indoctrination but is akin to moral science education, which has historically included teachings from various moral leaders.
Chief Justice Agarwal responded to concerns about the policy’s exclusivity by indicating that teachings from other texts could be incorporated sequentially, asserting that the policy allows for phased educational content. The court did not find the state’s approach to be in conflict with the national education policy’s standards.
