New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought justification from the central government and the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) of a compulsory common prayer in Hindi and Sanskrit, which requires all students to close their eyes and fold their hands.

A bench led by Justice Rohinton F Nariman issued notices to the Centre and the KVS, seeking their replies in two weeks.

"It is an important issue," observed the bench as it admitted the PIL filed by advocate Veenayak Shah.

The petition challenged the validity of Article 92 of the 'Revised Education Code of Kendriya Vidalaya Sangathan'.

As per Article 92 of The Code, "The school day shall begin with the morning assembly and all students, teachers and the principal shall attend the assembly. It states the conduct and procedure in which the morning assembly is to be carried out."

The petitioner said that instead of propagating religious beliefs and knowledge by a government-funded institution, they should rather ensure that scientific temperament among students and also ensure protection of fundamental rights under Article 28(1) and Article 19 of the Constitution of India.

"Under Article 19 of the Constitution, the citizens have been guaranteed Freedom of Speech and expression and as a result the students shall not be put under any compulsion to recite the prayer or even as to recite in particular manner by folding their hands and closing their eyes," stated the plea.

The lawyer complained that the above prayer is being enforced throughout the country in all Kendriya Vidyalayas.

"As a result, parents and children of the minority communities as well as atheist and others who do not agree with this system of prayer such as agnostics, rationalists and others would find the imposition of this prayer constitutionally impermissible," it lamented.