Raipur, July 3 -- The Chhattisgarh High Court on Thursday, July 2, held that no child in government schools can be forced to recite Hindu prayers, dismissing a petition challenging a State government order.

Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad was hearing the petition filed by former Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman Abdul Salam Rizvi, former Minority Department chairman Mahendra Chhabda, and Bilaspur social activist Shafique Ahmed. They had challenged the constitutional validity of the School Education Department's circular dated June 12.

The State government submitted that the circular had not yet been implemented despite being issued. Satisfied by the assurance, the Court disposed of the petition, giving the petitioners liberty to approac...