Gita in schools? Improper, says CPI-M

The CPI-M Sunday described as "improper and unwarranted" Supreme Court judge A.R. Dave's suggestion that the Gita and the Mahabaratha should be taught in schools.

"What Justice Dave has advocated is religious instruction in all schools from Class I. Compulsory religious instruction in government schools violates the basic secular principle enshrined in the constitution," the Communist Party of India-Marxist said.

"It is unfortunate that a sitting judge of the Supreme Court propounds his

personal views which go against the grain of the secular democratic constitutional principle which he as a judge is expected to uphold," said a party statement.

Judge Dave said here Saturday: "Had I been the dictator of India, I would have introduced the Gita and Mahabharata in Class I. That is the way you learn how to live life. I am sorry if somebody says I am secular or I am not secular. But we have to get good things from everywhere."