Congress Says Nehru Popularised Yoga; BJP Hits Back

A massive political row erupted on Wednesday after the Congress shared the photo of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru doing sirsasana and remembered him for being instrumental in 'popularising Yoga and even making it a part of national policy'.

"Let us appreciate the importance of the ancient art and philosophy in our physical and mental wellbeing and take steps to incorporate in our lives," the Congress tweeted.

Extending a greeting on Yoga day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also gave credit to Jawaharlal Nehru for popularising Yoga worldwide.

"On International Day of Yoga, we thank Pt. Nehru, who was instrumental in popularising Yoga and even made it a part of national policy.

Let us appreciate the importance of ancient art and philosophy in our physical, and mental well-being and take steps to incorporate it into our lives," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Countering Rahul Gandhi, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla Shehzad wrote, "From mocking yoga (tweet by Rahul Gandhi) to now the Congress trying to steal credit for the first family. It seems the Congress party has come full circle."

The BJP leader dug out Rahul's 2019 tweet in which he compared Indian Army soldiers with Army dogs -- both doing yoga in a photo he shared. "New India," he captioned the photo.

"At the very least they could thank India and Indians whose efforts led to its recognition on a global platform since 2015 with an overwhelming mandate. Today when India represented by PM Modi will lead Yoga Day celebrations at UN HQ it is a matter of collective national pride but Congress is suffering from the cataract of parivarvaad and hence can't see anybody beyond one family," he tweeted.

By the way, have you ever seen any congress leader doing Yoga on this day if indeed Nehru popularised it?" Poonawalla wrote.

Senior Congress leader Shahi Tharoor hailed PMO India and MEA for internationalising Yoga Day.

Indeed! We should also acknowledge all those who revived and popularised yoga, including our government, PMO India MEA, for internationalising International Yoga Day through the United Nations. As I have argued for decades, yoga is a vital part of our soft power across the world and it's great to see it recognised, Tharoor tweeted.

In The UN General Assembly had in December 2014 adopted an India-led resolution, supported by over 175 UN member states, declaring June 21 as 'International Day of Yoga', recognising that "Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being".