Teach Thirukkural in schools to build a Nation with Moral Values, Madras HC tells Govt. [Read Order]

In a recent judgment, the Madras High Court has asked the state to include first two chapters of Thirukkural, inVI to XII Standard school syllabus from the next academic year. Justice R. Mahadevan observed that inclusion of this classic literature would help to build a nation with moral values.Thirukkural is a classic Tamil sangam literature consisting of 1330 couplets or Kurals which. A retired Government official,S.Rajarathinam, expressing his concern about declining moral values and increasing crime in the society, had approached the Madras High Court praying to modify the syllabus in the schools for students between VI to XII Standard so as to ensure thatthey are acquainted and taught thoroughly with all the 1,330 couplets of Thirukkural so as to mould them morally sound. Emphasizing on the importance of “moral values” over “other values”, the court said “Once, the moral values are lost, it is only a matter of time, before the person falls, despite possessing all other qualities, which may earn in name, fame, power and money.” The Court also rejected the argument put forward by the state that inclusion of entire Thirukkural as a subject would increase the burden on the students.