No Compulsory Hindu Prayers in Schools: Chhattisgarh High Court Issues Landmark Ruling
In a significant legal development regarding secular education, the Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that students in government schools across the state cannot be forced to recite specific Hindu prayers, including the Saraswati Vandana and the Gayatri Mantra. The ruling came during the hearing of a petition challenging a state government circular issued on June 12, which had mandated the recitation of various religious hymns and mantras within the school curriculum.
Court Directs State to Maintain Neutrality
The petition, filed by a group of activists including former Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman Abdul Salam Rizvi, challenged the constitutional validity of the government’s directive. The circular had instructed schools to incorporate the Deep Mantra, Saraswati Vandana, Guru Mantra, Gayatri Mantra, and Shanti Mantra into daily school activities. Presiding over the case, Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad took note of the state government’s submission that, despite the issuance of the circular, it had not yet been implemented on the ground. Consequently, the court closed the petition while issuing a stern warning: any attempt to coerce students into participating in these religious recitations would invite strict legal action.
Secularism vs. Religious Instruction in Education
The petitioners argued that the government's mandate infringed upon the constitutional principles of secularism and violated the fundamental rights of students. The petition highlighted that by prioritizing the practices of a single religion, the circular compromised the state's obligation to maintain religious neutrality in government-run educational institutions. The argument emphasized that such compulsory activities fail to protect the freedom of conscience for students who do not wish to participate, thereby creating a discriminatory environment that contradicts the inclusive nature of public education.
Protecting the Rights of Students
The High Court’s ruling reinforces the legal protection of students against mandatory religious indoctrination in state-funded schools. By granting the petitioners the liberty to approach the court again should any instances of coercion surface, the judiciary has ensured a robust oversight mechanism. This decision serves as a significant precedent, reaffirming that while cultural and moral education is valuable, government institutions must remain platforms that respect the diverse religious and non-religious backgrounds of all students, upholding the secular fabric of the Indian Constitution.
