Chhattisgarh Mandates Gayatri Mantra and Other Prayers in Schools — Political and Secularism Debate

Overview The Chhattisgarh Government has issued a directive that makes the recitation of the Gayatri Mantra and several other prayers compulsory in all schools under its education department from the 2026‑27 academic session that began on June 16, 2026 . The move has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition Congress, which alleges an attempt to impose the RSS agenda in education. Key Developments All schools must include a morning assembly featuring the National Anthem , national song, Deep Mantra, Saraswati Vandana, Guru Mantra and excerpts from biographies of eminent personalities. During the mid‑day meal, students will recite a food prayer ( Bhojan Mantra ). The closing session will feature the state song, the Gayatri Mantra and the Shanti Mantra. The DEOs have been instructed to enforce the order strictly, with inspections and possible administrative action against non‑compliant schools. The opposition Congress has demanded a withdrawal, arguing that mandatory Hindu prayers violate the principle of Secularism guaranteed by the Constitution . Important Facts Directive issued by the School Education Department on June 12, 2026 . Implementation begins with the academic year starting June 16, 2026 . Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai emphasized integrating Indian culture with modern education. Failure to comply may attract administrative penalties for school managements or principals. UPSC Relevance The episode touches upon several UPSC‑relevant themes: Federalism and State Power: Education is a concurrent subject; states can frame policies, but they must respect constitutional guarantees. Secularism and Fundamental Rights: Articles 25‑28 of the Constitution prohibit discrimination on religious grounds, a frequent GS2 question. Political Ideology: The allegation of an RSS agenda reflects the broader debate on the influence of cultural nationalism in policy‑making. Education Policy: The move aligns with the state’s effort to embed cultural values, raising issues about the balance between cultural education and secular mandates. Way Forward Given the constitutional concerns, the following steps are likely: Legal challenges in the High Court or Supreme Court on the grounds of violating secularism. Dialogue between the state government and opposition parties to seek a compromise, possibly limiting prayers to non‑sectarian content. Review by the NEP to ensure state directives align with national standards. Monitoring by the Ministry of Education to safeguard constitutional rights while allowing cultural activities. For UPSC aspirants, this case illustrates the delicate balance between cultural integration and constitutional secularism in India’s federal structure.