School prayers in Kendriya Vidyalayas promote Hinduism? Supreme Court seeks centre response
Special Correspondent
NewsBits.in
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday has sought response from the central government on a public interest litigation (PIL) which complained that school prayers sung in the Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country promoted Hindu religion.
Admitting the PIL filed by an advocate whose children have studied in Kendriya Vidyalaya, the apex court issued notice to the central government, seeking its response.
The Supreme Court also observed that it is a 'serious constitutional matter'. The apex court will decide on whether indeed Hindi prayer sung in 1100 KVs in the country promote a particular religion and if this violated the Constitution.
The PIL stated that the rayer songs in KVs across the country promote Hinduism and that these should not be allowed in government-run schools. It was filed by an advocate whose children passed out from KV schools.
Ever since the BJP-ruled government has come to power in centre issues tinged with communal colour have been on the forefront and many of them have found way to the Apex court.
School prayers are the latest in the series of controversial issues to have been taken to the court. Many minority-based schools also start their day with prayers belonging to particular religions as do the Kendriya Vidyalayas, though the minority educational institutions have certain special considerations under the law.
