The Opposition has alleged that the BJP government is trying to polarise youngsters on the basis of religion by distributing the Bhagavad Gita to college students in Maharashtra. The issue was raised by Congress MLAs Prithviraj Chavan and Naseem Khan in the Assembly. Chavan said the distribution of a holy book for free in colleges was an attempt to divide society. He said while the Centre was about to start a train service called Shri Ramayana Express, the state was doing its bit by allowing the circulation of the Hindu scriptures in colleges.

Khan said the government should stop the practice because people of other faiths, too, would start making similar demands. "Will you allow the distribution of the Bible and Quran if they ask for it?" he asked Education Minister Vinod Tawde.