Recitation of Bhagwadgeeta shlokas made mandatory in all Government schools in Uttarakhand

Daily recitation to take place during morning assembly

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) – On 17 July, the Uttarakhand Government issued a landmark directive mandating that all Government schools in the state begin their morning assemblies with the recitation of one shloka from the Bhagwadgeeta, along with its meaning. The rule will apply to over 17,000 Government schools across the state.

इस वर्ष हरेला पर्व पर उत्तराखंड में प्रकृति संरक्षण का नया अध्याय जुड़ा। आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी की प्रेरणा से शुरू हुए "एक पेड़ माँ के नाम" अभियान को "हरेला का त्योहार मनाओ, धरती माँ का ऋण चुकाओ" थीम से जोड़ते हुए एक दिन में 8 लाख 13 हजार से अधिक पौधे लगाए गए।… pic.twitter.com/SpeGbjJGj0

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) July 17, 2025

Weekly review of students’ response to each shloka

The directive specifies that teachers must not only recite the shloka but also explain its meaning, scientific relevance, and moral message to the students. Each week, a single shloka will be selected as the ‘Shloka of the Week’, displayed on the school’s notice board. At the end of the week, teachers are required to gather student feedback and discuss the impact of that shloka on their thinking.

Will instil a sense of duty among students : Chief Minister Dhami

Commenting on the decision, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that this initiative will help instil a sense of duty, leadership qualities, and emotional stability among students.

📖 Daily Gita in Schools! 🚩

Uttarakhand Govt makes Shrimad Bhagavad Gita recitation mandatory in all govt schools during morning assembly! 🙏

👏 Kudos to @pushkardhami & BJP Govt!

It must be made mandatory in all govt & private schools across Bharat! 🇮🇳

“Duty-consciousness… pic.twitter.com/4FwCWJ0hPe

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) July 17, 2025

Teachers’ unions oppose the move

Some teachers’ associations have criticised the decision, citing Article 28(1) of the Constitution. They allege that the move is against secularism and imposes religious practices on students. The decision has triggered debate among educators and parents. (It is because of such pseudo-secularists that the nation is facing a moral decline. Such opposition must now be crushed ! – Editor)

Bhagavad Gita shloka recitation to begin in Uttarakhand madrasas too : Madarsa Board chief Shamoond Kasmi

Shamoond Kasmi, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board, has announced that Bhagwadgeeta shlokas will also be recited in madrasas. He welcomed the Government’s move to introduce Gita recitation in schools. (If this is possible in madarasas of Uttarakhand, why not in madarasas elsewhere ? – Editor)

Some madarasas to introduce Sanskrit as well

Kasmi added that a few selected madarasas will also begin teaching Sanskrit, with plans to gradually introduce it in all madarasas. He said that the Bhagwadgeeta contains the teachings of Shrikrushna, and that its recitation in schools would promote social harmony — hence, it will be implemented in madarasas as well.

Editorial Perspectives

Congratulations to the BJP Government in Uttarakhand ! It is essential to make the Bhagwadgeeta mandatory in every Government and private school across the country.