Dear Editor,
There can be no two opinions about the greatness of Bhagvad Gita. The Holy Book has answers to our sufferings. Once can find solace and guidance by reading and understanding it. It provides immense peace to a starving soul. It has a treasury of information that takes the human race to a meaningful life. If people want to follow its teachings, let them do it out of their own interest and love for the text.
But the suggestion of Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, that the Bhagvad Gita be declared as India’s national book, cannot be accepted. The move will invite opposition from people of other communities in a secular state that is India. There will be a demand for similarly recognising the religious texts of other communities too. Therefore, the Bharatiya Janata Party must shun such religious approach and concentrate on the development agenda and the ‘Sabka saath, sabka vikas’ slogan.
NR Ramachandran
via-e-mail