SHIVAMOGGA, 1 DEC 

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy assured that he will discuss with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan the inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita in school and university curricula.

The JD(S) leader was responding to BJP leader KS Eshwarappa's request that the Bhagavad Gita should be included in school curriculum, during the Sri Bhagavad Gita Abhiyan programme here on Sunday, says a release by his office.

Kumaraswamy said the Bhagavad Gita should be taught at all levels of education, not just in schools and colleges. 

He assured that he would bring the matter to the attention of the Centre.

Kumaraswamy also suggested that the Ramayana and Mahabharata should be taught at the school level. Teaching these epics is necessary to guide society, he said.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent recitation of the Bhagavad Gita at an event in Udupi, he said, "Through this, he gave a clear message about the protection of our religion and heritage. It is a lesson for all of us."

"In our childhood, elders used to tell us stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata at home. Similarly, teachers used to tell us these stories in school. However, now that practice is missing. If you turn on the news channels, only bad news comes. The Bhagavad Gita should be taught to children to set this right. The Ramayana and Mahabharata should also be taught," he asserted.