Chhattisgarh Court Bars Forced Hindu Prayers in Schools

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that no child in government schools can be forced to recite Hindu prayers, disposing of a petition that challenged a state directive on religious grounds. The court's observation came during a hearing on Thursday, July 2, regarding a circular issued by the Chhattisgarh School Education Department on June 12.

Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad heard the petition filed by former Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman Abdul Salam Rizvi, former Minority Department chairman Mahendra Chhabda, and social activist Shafique Ahmed. The petitioners argued that the circular, which prescribed a structured daily routine for government schools, violated constitutional principles of secularism and fundamental rights.

The circular mandated the recitation of the National Anthem and National Song, alongside several Hindu prayers and mantras, including Saraswati Vandana, Gayatri Mantra, Guru Mantra, Deep Mantra, Bhojan Mantra, and Shanti Mantra. It also included reading biographies of notable personalities as part of the schedule. The state government had described the initiative as an effort to promote discipline, moral values, and cultural awareness.