Surya Namaskar to be must in Mum corporation schools?

MUMBAI: The Sena-BJP ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved a proposal making yoga and Surya Namaskar mandatory in civic schools here, drawing flak from opposition parties which dubbed the move as a ploy to “saffronise“ education.
On Tuesday, BMC's general body cleared the proposal tabled by BJP corporator Samita Kamble in a bid to improve the health of students.
The ruling allies rejected the amendment demanded by Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) to make yoga optional in schools. Terming Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) as a “form of Hindu worship“, SP had called for its removal from the proposal. But this too was struck down.
“Making Surya Namaskar compulsory in schools is a way to promote Hindutva as its origin lies in the Hindu god Surya (Sun),“ SP corporator Rais Sheikh alleged. He said the move would discourage Muslim parents from sending their wards to BMC schools.
Congress state unit vice-president Naseem Khan said the move was “un-constitutional“ and would be opposed tooth and nail.
“This is another case of saffronisation... and is in complete contravention of fundamental rights,“ he said.
“BMC polls are near and sensing defeat, they (Sena and BJP) have played this saffronisation card, which could have unwarranted consequences. Why didn't the Sena-BJP combine, which has been ruling BMC for 20 years, bring the proposal earlier?“ he asked.
Representatives of several Muslim bodies met Khan and apprised him of the community's reaction against the move. “Muslims, Jain, Christians, Dalits... all are dismayed... the CM should take serious note of it,“ he demanded.
Defending the move, BJP corporator Dilip Patel said, “Yoga is internationally accepted as the best exercise. Bringing it into the religious ambit is a political tactic by the opposition“.
The proposal passed by the house of the civic body, will now be sent to municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta, who will take a final call on the matter.
BMC runs 1,188 primary and 49 secondary schools in Mumbai. This includes nearly 400 Urdu-medium schools. About 4.85 lakh students study in primary schools while another 55,000 study in secondary schools.