Centre decides to drop surya namaskar from International Yoga Day drill

Updated: Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 13:06 [IST]

New Delhi, June 9: Facing heavy criticism from the Opposition and the Muslim Law Board, the Centre on Tuesday decided to do away with 'surya namaskar' as part of the International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21.

According to a report in TOI, after repeated protests from the Muslim Law Board, the centre decided to scrap surya namaskar in the drill.

The All Indian Muslim Personal Board (AIMPB) had launched a nationwide protest against making yoga and surya namaskar mandatory in schools saying that these were 'Hindu religious practises' and that they were against the teachings of Islam.

Even the Congress criticised Modi government for making yoga and surya namaskar mandatory in all schools saying that 'yoga cannot be forced on anyone.'

UN will commemorate the inaugural International Yoga Day on June 21

The Muslim Board had alleged that these practises were not in line with the teachings of Islam.

The Centre is making grand plans to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the gathering at Rajpath where over 40,000 people are expected to perform 'asanas'.

Meanwhile, the UN will commemorate the inaugural International Yoga Day on June 21 with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and General Assembly President Sam Kutesa gracing the occasion.