C’garh: In C’garh Schools, 3 Time-Prayers, National Anthems To Gayatri Mantra, Made Mandatory

The state education department on Saturday released a time table announcing the schedule of the mass recitation of the particular songs, hymns and shlokas at particular time during the day.

The order will come into force in the academic year 2026-27, commencing on June 16.

Three slots in a day have been fixed for the mass prayers by the students.

Mass singing of national anthem, national song (Vande Mataram), ‘Deep Mantra’ (Lamp invocation prayer or lamp lighting shloka is a sacred verse in Sanskrit chanted while lighting an oil lamp during Hindu rituals to represent knowledge, prosperity, and removal of darkness), Saraswati Vandana (prayer invoking blessings of deity of knowledge, Goddess Saraswati), Guru Mantra (hymn in praise of master who removes ignorance and brings enlightenment), and teaching on the life story of an eminent personality (Mahapurush), in the order, by the students will mark the commencement of the morning session of the school, the order said.

During the lunch break, mass singing of hymns by students will be held.

Mass recitation of national song, and Gayatri Mantra (a revered Vedic chant dedicated to Sun deity to invoke wisdom, enlightenment, and divine guidance) by the students will mark the day’s closure of the schools, the order said.

“In addition to studies, awareness on the discipline, patriotism, moral values and Indian traditions and culture is needed to be developed in the students”, the order said while justifying the three-time-prayer schedule of the schools.

The state government issued the order to all district education officers (DEOs) to ensure strict enforcement of the prayer schedule in the schools in the state and warned of disciplinary action against the principals and managements of the schools which violate the directive.

Opposition Congress slammed the state government for taking such an initiative saying that it is trying to push the agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

“India is a secular country. Promoting a particular ideology or agenda is against the spirit of the Constitution”, Congress spokesman Sushil Anand Shukla said.

BJP spokesman Amit Chimnani however countered the Congress saying that the move will help the next generation learn about Indian traditions and culture.