NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj hinted on Sunday that the Union Government is going to declare the Bhagwad Gita as India’s “national scripture”.
In a move that is bound to create controversy, the Union Minister said the government has already taken the decision, and it is only a matter of declaration now.
Reacting to Swaraj’s remarks, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee said the Constitution was the “holy book” in a democracy while Congress party called her statement “frivolous”.
“All holy books are our pride,” Mamata Banerjee said, adding “The Quran, Puranas, Vedas, Vedanta, Bible, Tripitak, Zend-Avesta, Guru Granth Sahib, Gita — we respect all.”
Trinamool Congress sources confirmed that the party will protest against the move by BJP once there is a formal declaration.
Speaking at a function to mark celebrations of the 5,151 years of Gita, VHP president Ashok Singhal urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately declare the sacred book as India’s “national scripture”.
Swaraj was also present at the function “Gita Prerna Mahotsav”, held in the Red Fort complex here. She said she is able to face the challenges of her ministry only because of the teachings of Bhagwad Gita.
Swaraj reminded of a copy of the holy book, written by Mahatma Gandhi, was gifted to US President Barack Obama by by our Prime Minister during his visit to the nation in September.
