Gujarat Edu Dept's notification on Bharat Mata Pujan causes stir

Ahmedabad: After the Gujarat Education Department's move to organise 'Bharat Mata Pujan' and lectures from August 1 in schools, Gujarat Rajya Prathmik Shikshak Sangh (GRPSS) and Jamiat Ulama Gujarat opposed it, citing politicising of education, IANS reported.

Jamiat Ulama demanded that it should not be made mandatory.

A notification dated July 25, 2022, issued by the Joint Director of Education Department, directed all district Education Officers to ensure that Bharat Mata Pujan is organised in schools after prayer.

The notification read: "On the request letter of the Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (RSM), as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Bharat Mata Pujan and a lecture should be organised in every school. Such programmes will generate patriotism."

GRPSS president Digvijaysingh Jadeja said, "This is an attempt to give space to RSM to expand its wings in schools. RSM is promoted by Sangh. When we opposed the notification, the Education Minister requested to extend support for nationalism."

While Jamiat Ulama Gujarat General Secretary Nisar Ahmed Ansari wrote Joint Director (Education) opposing the pujan. The letter read: "We warm-heartedly will join cultural programmes organised to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, but we are against the Bharat Mata Pujan. The said notification was issued at one organisation's request, no other organisation or stakeholders were taken into confidence. Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh does represent all sections of the society."

It also states: "In Islam, worship of idols is banned; Muslim believers can't do idol worship. The said notification is also in violation of the Indian Constitution, which gives rights to practice the religion one believes in. Nowhere in the Constitution is there any mention of carrying out worship of Bharat Mata. Our prayer is to withdraw the notification."