Archive · 8 Nov 2025
MP Police Training: Bhagavad Gita Recital Sparks Row
In the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, police trainees are now being asked to read a chapter from the Bhagavad Gita, a religious book, before their nighttime meditation.
This is happening during a special month called Margashira, which is considered holy.
The police leader says this will help the trainees become better people and more disciplined.
However, some politicians are unhappy about this.
They think it's like forcing one religion on the police and could be bad for fairness.
Others from a different political party say it's not about forcing religion, but about learning good values from a wise book.
They believe it will help make the police officers better at their jobs and good for society.
This isn't the first time something like this has happened, as trainees were previously asked to read from another religious text called the Ramcharitmanas.
Madhya Pradesh Police have directed recruits to recite a chapter of the Bhagavad Gita before nightly meditation sessions.
The directive, issued by ADGP (Training) Raja Babu Singh, applies to eight police training schools in the state.
The initiative is being implemented during the holy month of Margashira.
The Opposition Congress has criticized the move, calling it an attempt to 'radicalize' the police force and indoctrinate them with Hindutva ideology.
The ruling BJP defends the practice, stating it aims to instill ethical values and philosophical grounding in the recruits.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh Police Training Wing, led by ADGP Raja Babu Singh, and Opposition Congress and ruling BJP parties.
- What
- A directive for police recruits to recite a chapter of the Bhagavad Gita before nightly meditation has sparked a political debate.
- When
- The directive was issued recently, and the month of Margashira (when the recitals are encouraged) began on Thursday.
- Where
- Eight police training schools across Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- The police officer stated the aim is to guide recruits toward righteousness and instill discipline, while critics see it as an attempt to radicalize the force with a specific ideology.
Congress
BJP
Nature of the Directive
Congress
The Congress criticizes the directive as an attempt to 'radicalize' and indoctrinate the police force with Hindutva ideology, deeming it inappropriate for a secular institution.
BJP
The BJP defends the directive as a cultural and philosophical exercise intended to instill strong ethical values and moral grounding in the police recruits.
Inclusivity and Faith
Congress
The Congress argues that individuals should have the freedom to follow their own religion, implying the directive imposes a specific religious text on recruits.
BJP
The BJP dismisses these apprehensions, framing the Bhagavad Gita as a text promoting universal ethical values rather than a tool for religious imposition.
- Location
- Madhya Pradesh, India
- Initiating Body
- Madhya Pradesh Police Training Wing
- Initiating Officer
- Raja Babu Singh, ADGP (Training)
- Directive
- Recite one chapter of Bhagavad Gita before nightly meditation.
- Timing
- During the holy month of Margashira (Agahan).
- Previous Practice
- Recitation of Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas was previously initiated.
