Ex-Mumbai mayor moves proposal to mandate ‘Manache Shlok’ in schools; sparks row

MUMBAI: (Apr 3) Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator and former Mayor Kishori Pednekar has moved a proposal in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) seeking to make the recitation of 'Manache Shlok' verses, composed by Samarth Ramdas Swami, mandatory in all civic and private-aided schools in the city.

Pednekar's notice of motion, however, has drawn sharp criticism from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), which has opposed the imposition of spiritual literature in secular municipal schools and has suggested teaching the Constitution instead.

The Leader of Opposition in the BMC moved a proposal on March 23, seeking to make the recitation of the 17th-century saint's verses compulsory in all civic-run and private-aided schools where Marathi is a mandatory subject.