Bhopal, August 01: Religious heads of Muslim community have opposed the Madhya Pradesh Government’s directive to government teachers to compulsorily recite “Bhojan Mantra” before meals during a special training programme.
State School and Higher Education Minister Archana Chitnis, in a directive three days ago, made the recital of “Bhojan Mantra”, a prayer before meal, compulsory for the government teachers taking part in a special training programme beginning from September 1.
Madhya Pradesh Jamat-e-Islami Hind spokesman Anwar Shafi said it is against the belief of Muslims.
“Muslim community recites ‘Bismillah’ before having meals and under no circumstances they would recite the ‘Bhojan Mantra’ as directed by the minister,” he said.
Instead of improving the quality of mid-day meal served to school children, in which a number of times lizard, frog and cockroaches were reportedly found, the government is trying to divert people’s attention by making compulsory recital of “Bhojan Mantra”, Shafi alleged.
A demonstration was also held by Khanqah-e-Chishtia and Muslim Tehwar Committee at Tila Jamalpura area yesterday protesting against the government’s directive.
The committee chief Dr Ausaf Shahmiri Khurram said, “It is an unnecessary attempt by the government to interfere in one’s personal religious matters.”
None of the religious community including Sikh, Christian, Buddhist and Jain among others would accept this directive, he said.
Special training programme for teachers have been organised in view of poor results in last academic year.
-Agencies