New Delhi : In a concerted attempt to counter the All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s opposition to promotion of Yoga as advancement of the Hindu religion, the Centre is working overtime to project support of the Muslim community to the International Yoga Day event it is organising on June 21 in a big way.
It has already dropped ‘Surya namaskar’ from the official yoga programme to ‘avoid controversy’, and it has further clarified that chanting ‘shlokas’ at the event was not ‘compulsory’, appealing to Muslims not to see any religion in it.
Ayush Minister Shripad Yesso Naik on Thursday appealed to the Muslim community to participate in the International Yoga Day in a big way and said people who do not want to chant ‘Om’ can say ‘Allah’.
The exercise also seems to control the damage caused by intemperate utterance of Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday when he used derogatory reference to those opposing the Yoga, stating that some persons had got a “disease” to oppose Yoga which can also be cured through Yoga.
However, efforts do not seem to be making any significant impact as the composition of delegation of Muslims that met Naik on Thursday showed that no big names in the Muslim community are ready to side with the government.
According to a government press note, a delegation of Muslims met Naik and applauded the initiative of the Prime Minister due to which 21st June has been declared as International Day of Yoga.
The press note claimed that the delegation told the minister that in reality namaz too has Yogic postures. The minister also stated that Yoga has nothing to do with any particular religion but it is for the well-being of everyone.
He also clarified that there was no compulsion on anyone to practise Yoga but as it is good for body and soul, all should make Yoga part of their lives and contribute in the celebrations of the International Yoga Day on June 21 and support the mission of the PM.
Catholic Bishops decry Yoga Day Meanwhile, Catholic Bishops Conference of India, apex body of the Catholic priests in the country, on Thursday expressed displeasure over government’s decision to organise Yoga day on June 21, saying Sundays are ‘sacred day’ for Christians in the country. Lamenting that “important events are being observed on Sundays these days”, the Cardinal said the Church will raise its concern before the authorities concerned.
