18 August,2016 09:17 AM IST | | Varun Singh
While a BJP corporator has moved a motion asking Surya Namaskar be made mandatory in civic schools, Samajwadi Party group leader retorts, saying Bismillah should be made mandatory as well
The Surya Namaskar finds itself in a controversy once again. The notice of motion moved by BJP corporator, Samita Kamble, states that Surya Namaskar should be made mandatory in schools and it will be discussed in the house on August 23.
However, the Samajwadi Party group leader has taken objection and claimed that if the Surya Namaskar is being made compulsory then why not Salam Alaikum or Bismillah al Rahman al Rahim, a note used by Muslims before beginning anything.
Rais Shaikh, the corporator, wrote a letter to the Mayor asking her to stop such proposals from entering the agenda of the house. "Surya Namaskar is a religious act, which Muslims do not endorse, and hence, I am opposing it. Also, making it mandatory is wrong," said Shaikh.
Kamble claims that the Surya Namaskar is a form of Yoga and has nothing to do with religion.
"The students at BMC schools aren't very fit and yoga, especially Surya Namaskar, is a healthy habit to follow," said Kamble.
Kamble claims that her party is in favour of her proposal, and her group leader would be discussing the matter in detail soon. "My proposal is going to be discussed in the BMC and I have made my leaders in the party aware about it."
Shaikh claims that this is nothing but the politics of BJP to give education a saffron colour. In his letter he has said, "In future, if any Muslim corporator suggests that instead of Namaste, Salam Alaikum be said, will it be allowed too?"
Shaikh said, "By bringing religion into education, certain parties are trying to widen the rift between religious groups. This is saffronisation of the education system and it's going on in a planned manner. Hence, I request that such proposals not be added to the agenda of the house henceforth."
Khadi Friday
Earlier, BJP corporator Ram Barot had also suggested that everyone wear Khadi, that too on Friday. While the opposition had claimed that it was a covert attack on the minority community, his reasoning was that Gandhi was killed on Friday, hence Khadi be worn on that day.
Ramdev's âcross' hurts Christians
Even as Baba Ramdev continues to splash billboards with his ayurvedic brand Patanjali, the yoga guru has stirred controversy with a new allegedly 'anti-Christian' advertisement.
The video commercial, which shows three crucifixes - pointing in different directions of an Indian map, asks Indians to boycott foreign goods and try Ramdev's products instead.
The advertisement has riled up the community with the Indian Christian Voice, a religious group, condemning the commercial, and sending a letter to President Pranab Mukherjee demanding that the video be taken down.
