India, June 17 -- The Chhattisgarh Government has mandated daily recitation of Gayatri Mantra and other Hindu prayers along with the national anthem and national song across all schools under its education department from the academic session 2026-27, officials said on Tuesday.

The direction to conduct a series of daily cultural, educational and value-based activities is aimed at fostering patriotism, promoting students' intellectual development and familiarising them with Indian culture and traditions, they said.

Opposition Congress questioned the need to make recitation of Hindu prayers compulsory in schools as students of other faiths also study there, and accused the BJP Government of trying to impose the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh...