Overview
- A School Education Department circular issued on June 12 ordered daily recitals in government schools, including the national anthem, national song, Saraswati Vandana, Gayatri Mantra, Guru Mantra, Deep Mantra, Bhojan Mantra and Shanti Mantra.
- Former Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chair Abdul Salam Rizvi, former Minority Department chair Mahendra Chhabda and activist Shafique Ahmed filed a petition saying the circular promotes one religion and lacks an exemption for non‑participants.
- The High Court, speaking on Thursday, clarified that no child can be compelled to recite Hindu prayers and disposed of the petition while recording that the state told the court the order had not yet been put into effect.
- The court granted the petitioners liberty to return if any student is forced to participate and said it would take appropriate action if compulsion is shown, with a detailed written order still awaited.
- The dispute raises questions about state neutrality in public education and could prompt further legal or administrative steps if schools begin implementing the circular or if officials try to enforce participation.