Shun prayers, lamp lighting at schools, public functions: Kerala Minister

Senior Kerala Minister G Sudhakaran kicks up a row after stating publicly that prayers and lighting of lamps at government functions be shunned. The minister held the view that singing prayers of a particular religion and lamp lighting were against the secular values upheld by the Constitution.
 

Also read: Kerala Minister kicks up row by opposing  prayer before Yoga
 

The Indian Constitution has no religion or caste. Hence, no prayer should be recited at government programmes. There is no need to light any lamp during public programmes, Public Works Minister G Sudhakaran.  
 

Also read: Kerala CM says no to Onam bash in public offices, BJP disapproves
 

Instead of prayers in the assembly, all schools and colleges should read out the message that we have no caste. "What is the purpose of reciting the praise of some god or goddess? Even in government programmes, prayers in praise of gods are being recited everywhere," he said."At the inauguration of a school, for example, a girl would be assigned to sing in praise of the goddess’s body parts. These practices are archaic and feudalistic," Sudhakaran, who is also a state committee member of the Communist Party of India- Marxist said. 

Also read: Kerala CM 'corrected' for delinking Yoga from spirituality

Sudhakaran’s cabinet colleague KK Shylaja had courted controversy earlier by speaking against the recitation of certain slokas during a public demonstration as part of an official function in connection with the International Yoga Day.

• G Sudhakaran
• lighting traditional lamp