Anna University

CHENNAI: A controversy erupted in Anna University and its affiliated colleges after the varsity prescribed Bhagavad Gita as an audit course (non-compulsory) for postgraduate engineering students.

As per the model curriculum from All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Anna University has introduced six audit courses including personality development through life enlightenment skills. For personality development, it suggested “Srimad Bhagavad Gita” by Swami Swarupananda .

"Studying Gita will help in students developing their personality and achieving highest goal in his/her life," the learning outcome of the programme said.

Some faculty members said offering Gita alone would amount to imposing Hindu religion. Ideally, the university should give all philosophy books, they said.

When contacted, university officials said the course was not compulsory and it was part of philosophy subject. "Along with subjects like Indian Constitution, students can study this course if they opt for it. Some sections are creating a controversy," officials said.

