By IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, 16 June 2015: In the wake of the moves aiming at participation of all people in the 21 June event of Yoga, some Muslim organizations have raised voice against any attempt for compulsory Yoga.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, India’s prominent socio-religious Muslim organization, has strongly opposed to the compulsory implementation of Yoga, Surya Namaskar, Saraswati Vandana etc. by the Centre or state governments on all communities, saying the move goes against the spirit of the constitution of India.
Mohammad Salim Engineer
“The constitution of India grants all its citizens the freedom to practice their own religion. Instead of solving the problems of the poor, economically deprived and the educationally backward and achieving social justice and communal harmony between various communities, the government is engaged in exercises that are highly damaging to the country,” said Mohammed Salim Engineer, Secretary General of Jamaat.
“The likes and dislikes of a particular religious community should not be enforced and made compulsory for all other communities and religious groups of secular India, as it is against our constitution and against the secular fabric of the country. The government must adopt a neutral stand on such issues and play an impartial role,” he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced to lead the Yoga event at India Gate on the International Yoga Day on 21 June.
All India Tanzeem Ulama-e Haq has also opposed compulsory Yoga.
“The insistence of the government on attendance of all Indian including Muslims in the 21 June event of yoga is undemocratic, immoral and anti-Islam,” said Maulana Mohammad Ejaz Urfi Qasmi, national president of All India Tanzeem Ulama-e Haq.
Maulana Md Ajaz Urfi Qasmi
“One year ago, BJP had come to power with the slogan of sab ka saath sab ka vikas but after assuming office, they cleverly sidelined that agenda and from the very beginning, they have been making statements on controversial issues to keep the community and the nation engaged in chaos and disunity,” Maulana Qasmi said.
