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Muslims oppose directive to recite ‘Bhojan Mantra’

Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Government’s directive to State teachers to compulsorily recite ‘Bhojan Mantra’ before meals during its special training programme has angered the Muslim community whose religious heads on Thursday said they will ignore it.

State School and Higher Education Minister Archana Chitnis, in a directive three days ago, made chanting 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 this was against the belief of Muslims.

“Muslim community recites ‘Bismillah’ before having meals and under no circumstances they (its teachers) 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’, Mr. Shafi alleged.

A demonstration was also held by Khanqah-e-Chishtia and Muslim Tehwar Committee at Tila Jamalpura area on Wednesday protesting against the directive.

The committee chief Ausaf Shahmiri Khurram said, “It is an unnecessary attempt by the government to interfere in one’s personal religious matters.”

Special training programme for teachers have been organised in view of poor results in last academic year. -- PTI

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