External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has pressed for declaring Bhagwad Gita as a national scripture. Speaking at Gita Prerna Mahotsav in Delhi yesterday, Mrs Swaraj said that only a formality is remained to be done in this regard. The function was organised to celebrate 5,151 years of religious book Gita at the Red Fort Maidan. The Minister said she was able to face the challenges as External Affairs Minister only because of the teachings of Gita. She also said that the respect of a national scripture was accorded to Gita when Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted it to US President Barack Obama during his visit to the country in September this year.

Reacting to Swaraj's remarks, Trinamool Congress Chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, our Constitution says India is a secular country and the Constitution is the Holy Book in a democracy. Ms Banerjee told PTI, they respect all Holy Books- Quran, Puran, Ved, Vedanta, Bible, Tripitak, Zend Avesta, Guru Granth Sahib, Gita equally. Congress leader Manish Tewari said the essence of the Gita lies in its substance and not in its symbolism. He said, if anybody has seriously read and internalise the teachings of the Gita they would not make such a frivolous statement. Speaking at the Mahotsav, VHP President Ashok Singhal said Prime Minister should immediately declare the sacred text of Hindus as a national scripture. Senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar said the UN should also declare Gita Divas as it is announcing June 21 as Yoga Day.