J-K: Circular on Urdu versions of Bhagwat Geeta in schools, colleges withdrawn

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday withdrew an order issued by the state's School Education Department to make Urdu versions of the Bhagwat Geeta and Koshur Ramayana authored by Sarwanand Premi, available in school and college libraries.

The decision to make the Urdu translation of Geeta and Koshur Ramayana available was made public by the education department of the state on Monday following the October 4 meeting chaired by the Advisor (V) to the Governor of the state.

The circular released on Monday read, "The School Education Department, Higher Education Department, Director Colleges, Director Libraries and Cultural Department will consider purchasing sufficient number of copies each of Urdu version of "Shrimad Bhagwat-Geeta and "Koshur Ramayan" authored by Shri Sarwanand Premi for making these available in Schools/Colleges and public libraries etc of the State."

The circular had drawn flak from a number of people, including former chief minister Omar Abdullah.

"Why just the Gita & Ramayana? If religious texts are to be placed in schools, collages & government libraries (and I'm not convinced that they need/should be) then why is it being done selectively? Why are other religions being ignored? (sic)" Abdullah had tweeted on Monday while sharing the circular.