Sadhus and seers of Haridwar today threatened to launch a countrywide agitation if ‘Surya Namaskar’ (sun salutation) is not included in the set of yogic postures to be performed on International Yoga Day slated for June 21.
“We would not tolerate any compromise with Surya Namaskar which is integral to yoga. Those trying to play with Hindu religion will not be forgiven,” Swami Harichetanand said.
“Yoga has been embraced in its totality by 177 countries of the world. However, opposition to Surya Namaskar by a handful people in the country of its origin is part of a premeditated conspiracy against the Hindu scriptures,” he said.
Meanwhile Yogi Adityanath and Surya namaskar hastag trended on Twitter
An AIMPLB (All India Muslim Personal Law Board) executive meeting yesterday had resolved to approach the Supreme Court against any move to have compulsory Surya Namaskar and Yoga in schools.
Amidst such objections to doing Yoga, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said participation is completely voluntary and that it should not be linked to caste, creed or religion.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also made it clear that participation in the Yoga Day events was not “compulsory”.
Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara Ramanand Puri said they will celebrate the international yoga day on June 21 by collectively performing Ashtanga yoga including ‘Surya Namaskar.’
Attacking AIMPLB for its stand on yoga, Union Minority Welfare Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said some Muslim religious leaders are suffering from a “disease” to oppose yoga and misleading the community. Amidst objections by certain minority groups to doing Yoga, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said there is “no compulsion” in this regard and that the practise of Yoga should not be related to any caste, creed or religion.
Firebrand BJP leader Yogi Adityanath has kicked up another controversy when he said that those opposing ‘Surya namaskar’ should “drown in the sea” in remarks that came amid protests by Muslim groups over the drill during the Yoga Day on June 21. The RSS also reacted critically to objections to the Yoga drill.
India will lead 191 nations to mark the ‘International Yoga Day’(IYD) on June 21, highlighted by a mega event in Delhi on Rajpath.
PTI