Mumbai: Suryanamaskar to be made mandatory in BMC schools

The BMC on Tuesday passed the motion making Suryanamaskar mandatory in all its schools. The motion was put forth by BJP corporator Samita Kamble, who had claimed that it is for the health of the BMC school children.

Unhappy that the proposal got passed, Samajwadi Party corporator Rais Shaikh, who had opposed it, said that Muslims won't send their kids to civic run schools. However, the proposal is still far from reality, as the BMC commissioner will now put forth his view and depending on his nod, the proposal will be implemented.

As earlier reported by this paper, the Suryanamaskar issue has created a major rift amongst political parties with Shaikh asking whether Bismillah will be also made mandatory if such religious proposals are brought in. The BJP, on the other hand, was adamant that it won't let this proposal die and instead will try with all its might to pass it.

On Tuesday when the proposal was put to vote, the Shiv Sena, which wasn't decided till last moment, voted in favour of it. "The Sena supported the proposal, while NCP, Congress and SP voted against it," said Shaikh.

"If this is made mandatory then Muslims will prefer not sending their kids to BMC schools rather do Suryanamaskar," said Shaikh. He has alleged that BJP is bringing Hindutva to schools from backdoor.

But the BJP is sure the proposal will be implemented. A senior BJP leader said, "We were sure we will get it passed and now the commissioner will also support this proposal and it will be implemented all over the city."