'Those who boycott yoga day are playing dirty politics'

'We politicians definitely need to embrace yoga as a way of living a healthy and peaceful life'

'Yoga is about connecting people, connecting nations, connecting the body, soul and mind'

On Sunday shortly after dawn, thousands -- including children, bureaucrats, actors and the ‘aam aadmi’ -- will perform various yoga asanas during a 35-minute session at Rajpath for the first International Yoga Day championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yoga enthusiasts in over 177 countries are also expected to stretch and bend for Sunday’s celebration.

Ahead of the event, Shripad Naik, the Union minister of state (independent charge) for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy, which is coordinating the event, speaks to Upasna Pandey.

There has been opposition from some minority groups to the inclusion of Surya Namaskar and the need to chant 'Om' at the event? Do you see this as a hurdle?

We have been able to convince some minority groups who were opposing the event that it is not about any religion. Additionally, Surya Namaskar has been dropped from the event. Also, everyone is free to chant the name of a deity of their choice, instead of Om, during the asanas. So, there is no room for opposition.

The minorities have expressed willingness to participate and embrace yoga. A booklet titled Yoga in Islam was also released earlier this week, which throws light on the relevance of yoga in Islam and even draws similarities between yoga and namaaz.

Who are the eminent people who are expected to attend the event?

The event will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Swami Atmapriyananda of the Ramakrishna Mission, Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra, who runs Mumbai's Yoga Institute, Dr Niranjan Sanyal, secretary, ministry of AYUSH.

Many schools, government employees, members of police, armed forces groups, NGOs and other sections are also expected to participate. There was an initial plan for around 35,000 people but given the demand, we have raised the arrangements to 40,000 participants. Rehearsals have been organised which saw over 10,000 school children participate; it was a splendid sight. This event is likely to make a Guinness World Record. There are also state and district level programmes being planned on June 21 across the country.

Today’s politicians face a lot of stress as they are under the public scanner. What are your plans to popularise yoga among MPs?

We did a two day 'yog dhyan shivir’ for MPs earlier this year which was attended by 100 participants. We (politicians) definitely need to embrace yoga as a way of living a healthy and peaceful life so we can contribute our best to society.

This event is a beginning. A task force is likely to be set up to recommend the best ways to spread yoga to all parts of the country and across various walks of life. We are hoping Indians will fully participate in this.

Why are there no minority community leaders invited to the event on June 21, unlike gurus like Baba Ramdev who is also a yoga expert?

We did not get requests from any minority leaders to participate. We are open to them joining the event like everyone else.

What are the preparations for marking yoga day across states and what is the response?

We have sent information to all states and districts to organise events to mark this day. Many NGOs and other bodies are also planning yoga camps to observe the day. It is a matter of India celebrating its glory, and if there is any state government which decides to boycott it, it is clearly about playing dirty politics on an issue, which is avoidable.

We have a large number of countries, including many Islamic countries, across the world embracing Yoga, so India should maintain its position as the head of this movement. Yoga is about connecting people, connecting nations, connecting the body, soul and mind. It is the only way to balance an individual’s energies for healthy living.

Do you think the ongoing series of controversies may mar the success of this event?

The yoga camp at Rajpath was planned a few months back so there is no reason why any other developments should affect it adversely. I don’t see the connection; it is a moment of pride for us as a country. It is about ushering in positivity across the country, which will replace any negativity in our society.