MP minister defends teaching of scriptures in schools

Bhopal, Nov 30 (PTI) The BJP-led government in Madhya Pradesh today defended its decision to introduce religious education in schools, saying there was no harm in providing "value-based" education. "Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh has raised the issue of teaching Gita, Quran and Bible and other religious scriptures in schools....thousands years back when Sikandar (Alexander) was returning, his guru Aristotle asked him to bring back Gita and Gangajal," School Education Minister Archana Chitnis said during the discussion on no-confidence motion in the Assembly. India is known as "world guru" and there is no harm in introducing value-based education in schools through teaching of sacred scriptures, she said. Terming the no-confidence motion as lacklustre, Culture and Public Relations Minister, Laxmikant Sharma claimed that during the Congress rule, 28,000 daily wagers lost jobs, while under the current BJP rule, 2.38 lakh persons were provided employment in government and semi-government sector. Criticising the Centre's decision to permit FDI in retail sector, he said the decision will render a large number of people jobless. (More)