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JAIPUR, INDIA, October 3, 2004: Rajasthan government’s decision to make the recital of bhojan mantras before meals in state-run hostels has sparked off a row. As per the decision, over 20,000 students of the 527 hostels run by the Social Welfare Department will now get their food only after chanting the Hindu mantra. “Before they start eating, if they sing these mantras which have been part of our tradition, they will imbibe better values,” said Madan Dilawar, Social Welfare Minister, Rajasthan. The Congress and Muslim organizations allege that this is a conspiracy to push the Hindutva agenda in the state. They claim that enforcing a Hindu mantra in hostels with students of all religions violates the Constitution’s secular spirit and will not be tolerated. “In these hostels, we not only have Hindus, but also Sikhs, Muslims and Christians. So how can the bhojan mantras be forced on them? Nobody has the right to act contrary to the secular fabric of our Constitution,” said former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.



HPI adds: The bhojana mantram and an article on food blessing in the world’s religion is available here.

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