Bhopal, Aug 1 - Two years after introducing 'surya namaskar' in schools, the Madhya Pradesh government has now directed that students in state-run schools have to recite a 'bhojan mantra' - perceived by many Muslims as a Hindu chant - before partaking of midday meals.

'The schoolchildren in the state will have to recite the 'bhojan mantra' before their midday meals. This will come into force from Sep 5 - Teacher's Day this year,' says a notice from state School Education Minister Archana Chitnis.

The directive has stirred controversy as many Muslims say the imposition of such a chant is against the religious freedom of minorities.

The mantra is, 'Anna grahan karne se pehle, vichar man mein karna hai; Kis hetu se is sharir ka rakshan poshan karna hai; Hey parmeshwar, ek prarthana nitya tumhare charnon mein; Lag jaaye tan man dhan mera, matr bhumi ki sewa mein.'

Translated into English it means: 'Before eating, let us think why we have to nourish and take care of our bodies. Oh lord, this is a daily prayer to you that my body, mind and wealth be used in the service of the motherland).

Minister Chitnis said, 'The mantra would be recited in all schools without any discrimination on grounds of caste and creed. It will be made mandatory for all wards availing themselves of government-run midday meals,' she said.

'First the teachers would be taught the mantra at training sessions, so they can propagate it correctly among students,' Chitnis told IANS over phone.

She denied the charge that the mantra had a 'saffron' agenda.

An education department official said: 'The minister has already directed her department which, without losing any time, has started preparing for teaching the mantra to teachers in August and September.'

'Preparations are on and about 1,000 teachers of higher secondary (up to Class 12) and 3,000 teachers of high school (up to Class 10) will participate in the training,' said the official.

But Muslims in the state are not amused.

'Asking children to recite the mantra before midday meals is unconstitutional.