External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare Bhagavad Gita as National Scripture while she got sharp responses from the opposition parties. Sushma who participated in 5,151st anniversary of the religious book said, only a formal announcement is pending in making Gita a 'Rashtriya Granth' and added that she is able to face the challenges as External Affairs minister only because of the teachings in Bhagavad Gita.
Criticising Sushma's remarks, Congress party spokesperson Manish Tewari said, “the essence of the Gita lies in its substance and not in its symbolism.” While Tirnamool Congress party slammed Sushma Swaraj and added, “Indian constitution is the holy book of democracy.” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, all religious books should be respected.
Senior RSS leader said United Nations should also declare Gita Divas as it is announcing June 21st as Yoga Day. To pass the bill of Bhagavad Gita as National Scripture would definitely create another havoc in the Parliament but it will be an advantage to saffron party.
- TVR
