Controversy Erupts Over Bhagavad Gita Incorporation in Madhya Pradesh Police Training Program

The Madhya Pradesh Police Training Wing has issued a directive requiring recruits to read one chapter of the Bhagavad Gita before their evening meditation sessions.

Bhopal:

A recent instruction from the Madhya Pradesh Police Training Wing mandating recruits to read chapters from the Bhagavad Gita has ignited a significant political controversy. The opposition Congress party has labeled it as an attempt at radicalization, while the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defends the practice as a moral development exercise.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for Training, Raja Babu Singh, issued the directive instructing all eight police training institutions across Madhya Pradesh to have recruits study one chapter of the Bhagavad Gita prior to their nightly meditation practices.

In conversation with NDTV, Singh explained that the Gita would provide ethical guidance for trainees in leading righteous lives.

"The month of Margashirsha (Agahan) commenced on Thursday, which according to scriptures is dedicated to Lord Shri Krishna. I would like all Superintendents of Police to arrange for their recruits to read one chapter of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, if feasible, before the nighttime meditation during this sacred month," Singh stated.

This directive follows months after the ADGP encouraged recitation of verses from Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas at these same facilities, explaining that such practices would cultivate discipline and ethical clarity among the 4,000 trainees.

Singh further revealed to NDTV that during his service as the Gwalior Range ADGP, he distributed copies of the Bhagavad Gita to jail inmates and implemented similar reading programs.

Congress Versus BJP Over The Directive

The Congress party criticized the directive, describing it as "an unconstitutional attempt to saffronize the police. Every individual should have the freedom to follow their own faith. The effort to radicalize the force is beginning in Madhya Pradesh," asserted Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta.

Gupta further contended that this directive represented an action against the constitutional system and should be addressed accordingly.

The BJP responded sharply to Congress, accusing the opposition of politicizing a cultural and philosophical initiative.

"In a nation like India, if anyone considers the Bhagavad Gita communal, their Indianness becomes questionable. This is my explicit allegation against Congress," declared BJP spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi.

"This text is respected worldwide and discusses philosophy rather than religion... Regarding its recitation, it isn't being forced upon anyone, but if understanding its essence improves policing, it will benefit society and the nation. We will progress toward becoming 'Vishwaguru,' which Congress opposes," Chaturvedi added.

As the political debate intensifies, police trainees continue their evening routine alternating between Chaupais from the Ramcharitmanas, chapters from the Bhagavad Gita, and thirty minutes of silent meditation—a combination of spiritual practice, fitness, and philosophy shaping the next generation of police officers.

Police To Hold Meditation Sessions

Building upon the Bhagavad Gita initiative, the police department will organize three days of Heartfulness Meditation sessions from December 19 to 21, culminating on World Meditation Day on December 21.

These sessions will take place at prominent heritage and historical locations including Upper Lake (Bhopal), Rajwada (Indore), Dhuandhar Falls (Jabalpur), Mahakaleshwar Temple (Ujjain), and Khajuraho Temples (Chhatarpur).

Special DG Raja Babu Singh explained that the objective is to integrate meditation practices with "the state's cultural and historical identity."

The program will be accessible to all citizens and will be conducted by 76 trained Heartfulness instructors from within police ranks across 55 districts, without incurring any costs to the department.