Jaipur, May 15: Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma on Wednesday denied reports which said that 'Gayatri Mantra' is mandatory to be played in labour rooms of medical centres. "These are just rumours. I was informed about the issue earlier too. This was just to create a good environment in the labour room and to give relief to mothers delivering a child. This is not mandatory. Some people are relating it with religion and trying to make it an unnecessary issue," Sharma told ANI.

He also said the state's health department will not recommend playing 'Gayatri Mantra' as an official policy. "This was not the government's decision. It was cleared before that government will not take any action that hurts someone's religious sentiments," he affirmed. Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Woman in Bahraich Forced to Deliver Stillborn Baby on Hospital Floor After Staff Fails to Attend Her on Time.

Reports said that a group of Muslims in the state objected to the playing of 'Gayatri Mantra' in labour rooms. They reportedly claimed that it was against Islam as a Muslim newborn should hear Azaan, not 'Gayatri Mantra'.

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)