SRINAGAR: The Governor administration has withdrawn the order directing School Education Department (SED), Higher Education Department (HED) and others to purchase Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta and Ramayana.
The order was withdrawn following criticism from different sections of society, besides political parties, including National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah.
"The Communication No: Edu/Genl/35/2013 dated: 22-10-2018 issued by the School Education Department to the Director School Education Kashmir/Jammu has been withdrawn ab-initio on the directions of the Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam," an official spokesperson said.
Mr Abdullah has questioned Governor administration order, directing SED, HED and others to purchase Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta and Ramayana only.
"Why just the Gita & Ramayana? If religious texts are to be placed in schools, colleges & government libraries (and I'm not convinced that they need/should be) then why is it being done selectively? Why are other religions being ignored?" Mr Abdullah wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.
The order issued on Monday said that a meeting chaired by the advisor to Governor on October 4, 2018 took a decision in respect of SED.
It said the SED, HED, Director Colleges, Director Libraries and Culture department will consider purchasing a sufficient number of copies each of Urdu version of Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta and Koshur Ramayan authored by Sarwanand Premi for making these available in schools, colleges and Public Libraries of the state.
"I am directed to request you to take further action as per rules and following all codal formalities required," the order issued by undersecretary to government SED had said.