Schools across Chhattisgarh will soon begin and end each day with a fixed religious and cultural routine. The state's School Education Department has directed all schools under its purview to run daily cultural, educational and values-based activities from the 2026-27 academic session. These activities will feature the national anthem and the national song along with the recitation of several mantras, including the Gayatri, Deep and Bhojan mantras. Officials say the underlying aim is to boost students' intellectual growth and to deepen their bond with Indian culture and traditions.
A Schedule Fixed for Three Slots a Day
An official said the department issued the order to all district education officers on 12 June, requiring schools to carry out these activities compulsorily three times a day. Under the new arrangement, the day will open with the morning prayer, which will include the national anthem, the national song, the Deep mantra, Saraswati Vandana, the Guru mantra and readings from the biographies of great personalities. At midday, during lunch, students will recite the Bhojan mantra together. At closing time in the evening, the state song, the Gayatri mantra and the Shanti mantra will be recited.
Inspections Planned, Lapses to Invite Action
The government says the initiative is meant to instill patriotism, discipline, moral values and cultural awareness in students, while strengthening their connection to Indian traditions and national ideals. To ensure the order does not stay on paper, officials will also inspect schools from time to time. Any school found not following the rules will face action.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Raises Objections
The decision has also drawn political pushback. Senior Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo, speaking to TrendKia in Ambikapur, said religious freedom is a fundamental constitutional right and that the recitation of prayers or mantras tied to any faith should be a matter of personal choice. According to him, those who wish to worship their deities or chant religious mantras should be entirely free to do so, but such practices cannot be imposed on anyone. He stressed that compelling a person to take part in the traditions or prayers of another religion is wholly improper.
Call to Withdraw the Order
Singh Deo appealed to the state government to take back the order. He suggested that students and teachers who do not wish to join such prayers should be given the option to stay out of them. Notably, the new academic session in the state began on Tuesday.
