JK Sikhs for criminal proceedings against K'taka minister

Jammu, Jul 21: A Sikh body in Jammu and Kashmir today (Jul 21) said it is contemplating to move court against Karnataka Education Minister for his reported remarks that "those who oppose the teachings of Bhagavad Gita in schools should quit the country".

"We are contemplating to initiate criminal proceedings against Karnataka Education Minister Vishwanath Hegde Kageri for his communal statements," JK Sikh United Front chief Sudershan Singh Wazir told reporters here.

"Kageri''s statements brought out the true communal and fascists agenda of BJP to fore," he said.

The former JK state Gurudwara Parbandak Board chairman said the BJP leader's statement that Gita is the only belief which has originated from India and all other religions have come from outside is shocking.

"He is perhaps ignorant of the fact that there are other beliefs like Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism, which have also originated from the same motherland," he said, adding that the Sikhs will not tolerate any campaign of hatred.

Kageri had reportedly remarked at Kolar in Karnataka that those opposing inclusion of Bhagavad Gita in school curriculum should leave the country.

His comments had come after the Karnataka government issued a controversial circular on teaching of Bhagavad Gita in primary and higher secondary schools in the state.

PTI