The Chhattisgarh government has made the daily recitation of prayers, including the 'Gayatri Mantra', mandatory in all state-run schools, sparking criticism from the opposition Congress.
The government order was issued on June 12 and requires schools to conduct daily cultural, educational, and value-based activities, including the national anthem, national song, and readings from biographies of eminent personalities.
Students will recite a 'Bhojan Mantra' before the mid-day meal, while the closing session will feature the state song, Gayatri Mantra, and Shanti Mantra.
The opposition Congress has questioned the need to make religious chants compulsory in government schools, arguing that it could hurt the sentiments of students from other faiths.
Senior Congress leader T.S. Singh Deo described the move as contrary to the spirit of the Constitution, saying religious freedom is a fundamental right and participation in prayers or mantras should remain voluntary.
