Savitribai Phule Pune University starts free course on Ganesh Atharvashirsha

The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) in Maharashtra has started a free course on Ganesh Atharvashirsha in association with Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Trust and a private institution, though the move has been opposed by some segments for its religious overtones.

The SPPU, which put out a notification about the course on its website, however, claimed it was based on the philosophy of the Ganpatya sect and not on religion. Ganpati Atharvashirsha, a Sanskrit text, is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, a deity of knowledge, wisdom and good.

Author and professor Dr Hari Narke termed the move of starting such a course by a responsible university like SPPU as inappropriate.

Pune has a great tradition of knowledge and scientific temperament and the university has been named after Savitribai Phule. While it is the duty of institutions to spread scientific temperament, I feel a responsible varsity like SPPU, in association with a private entity, starting such a course is inappropriate. Narke said he did not oppose Ganesh Atharvashirsha but was against the wrong trend that will start after SPPU conducts such courses and hands out certificates.