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Indian court upholds Hindu prayers in state schools, calls them ‘moral instruction’

July 13, 2026 · 1 min read

Catholic and other Christian groups have expressed concern after the High Court of Chhattisgarh — a central Indian state governed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — declined to set aside a state government order making Hindu prayers mandatory in government schools, dismissing a challenge to it as “premature.”

“The government order of June 12 [mandating Hindu prayers in schools at assemblies, meal breaks, and at closing] came as a shock to us,” Archbishop Victor Henry Thakur of Raipur, the state capital, told EWTN News on July 13.

“We were looking forward to the judiciary to uphold the fundamental rights of the religious minorities enshrined under the constitution. But the July 2 verdict of the High Court belies our hope, as it has dismissed the plea against the government order as ‘premature,’” Thakur said.

What the circular requires The ruling came on a petition filed by former Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman Abdul Salam Rizvi and two others challenging the June 12 order. According to The Hindu , which cited a government official, the morning assembly would include the national anthem, national song, Deep Mantra, Saraswati Vandana, Guru Mantra, and…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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Cristina Ionescu

I am concerned that Hindu prayers are becoming mandatory at assemblies, meals and at the end of the day in public schools. Archbishop Thakur made it clear that they were waiting for the judiciary to defend the rights of minorities, but the July 2 verdict dismissed their plea as "premature". How do the Christian parents there feel when their children have to recite the Saraswati Vandana every morning?

Mihai Nistor

Yes, it is clear that the order of June 12 changes the daily rhythm of schools and puts pressure on Christian families. I wonder how parents manage to explain to their children the difference between prayer at school and at home without confusing them. Will there be a more concrete clarification from the authorities or will it remain so?

Alexandru Matei

Yes, the order on June 12 with Deep Mantra and Saraswati Vandana in the morning assembly really changes the entire school schedule. Archbishop Thakur is right that they expected a clear defense of minorities, not a postponement as "premature". I wonder if Christian parents there manage to explain the difference to their children without confusing them.

Григорий Михайлов

It is a pity that the court called this “moral instruction” and did not see the pressure on children from Christian and Muslim families. Archbishop Thakur directly said that they were expecting protection of the rights of minorities under the constitution, but received a reply “prematurely.” It’s interesting how parents now explain to their son or daughter why they sing Saraswati Vandana at school, but at home they pray in their own way.