Jammu & Kashmir: Govt withdraws order on Urdu Gita, Ramayana books amid criticism

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday withdrew an order asking schools, colleges and public libraries to make available “sufficient number of copies” of Bhagwat Geeta and Ramayana’s Urdu translation after it evoked scathing criticism in the only Muslim-majority state.

A new order issued by the state Chief Secretary today read: "Circular issued by the Education Department regarding the introduction of some religious books stands withdrawn."

The decision to buy copies of the Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana was made public on Monday through an order issued by the Education Department. The order led to widespread criticism.

The decision to purchase religious books was taken during a meeting chaired by BB Vyas, advisor to Governor Satyapal Malik on October 4.

“The School Education Department, Higher Education Department, Director Colleges, Director Libraries, and Culture Department will consider purchasing a sufficient number of copies each of Urdu version of Shrimad Bhagwat-Geeta and Koshur Ramayan authored by Shri Sarwanand Premi for making these available in schools, colleges and public libraries etc. of the state,” read an order dated October 22, 2018.

On Twitter many social media users have accused the Governor of religious bias, asking as to why other religions were deliberately ignored in the order. Former Chief Minister of the state Omar Abdullah questioned the government wondering if religious texts in the schools, colleges and public libraries be made available at all. He wrote: “Why just the Gita & Ramayana? If religious texts are to be placed in schools, colleges & government libraries (and I’m not convinced that they need/should be) then why is it being done selectively? Why are other religions being ignored?”