Sadhus threaten stir if surya namaskar dropped from Yoga Day

Sadhus and seers of Haridwar on Tuesday threatened to launch a countrywide agitation if surya namaskar 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.

An All India Muslim Personal Law Board executive meeting on Monday 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 on Tuesday 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.