EDITORIAL
The government’s plan to introduce yoga in schools has evoked mixed reactions and there is sharp criticism as well. States such as Uttarakhand, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have moved towards making yoga compulsory in schools. Rightly or wrongly, sections of the minorities see in this a threat to their fundamental rights.
Promoting yoga through persuasion is one thing; making its practice compulsory is quite another. Worse, when such a directive comes from the government, questions are bound to be raised even if the intention is good. Clearly, there is a push from the Centre in this direction.
The Haryana government issued guidelines asking schools to hold yoga sessions during the zero period every day. It also said physical training teachers should get special coaching in yoga. The Madhya Pradesh government decided to make yoga a key part of the school curriculum from the 2015-16 academic session. In Uttarakhand, the state government decided to bring in yoga as a subject at the primary and secondary level. The Maharashtra government said the state could introduce yoga in the school curriculum though the order for observation of June 21 as International Yoga Day in schools would not be enforced. The government also plans to make yoga compulsory for police officers. There are also plans to offer free daily yoga lessons to civil servants and their families. Besides, Air India has announced plans to make yoga mandatory for its trainee pilots.
There are those who have lauded the importance being accorded to yoga or its introduction in schools. They feel practising yoga has many health benefits such as improved flexibility, muscle tone, joint health, mental calmness and stress reduction. Yoga has health benefits; it helps body and mind. However, the government coming into the picture and launching a mandatory yoga programme in schools, that too all of a sudden, defies basic logic.
Yoga as such may not have a direct link to religion, but perceptions matter, and therein lies a problem. The decision has angered some Moslem leaders. Zahir Kazi, the president of Anjuman-I-Islam, which runs a chain of schools and colleges in Maharashtra, says that despite yoga’s many health benefits, observing International Yoga Day in schools June 21 should not be mandatory. He is obviously linking it to religion. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has decided to launch a campaign against making Suryanamaskar and yoga compulsory in schools. The decision has also stirred debates abroad about the religious character of yoga. There have been court battles in the US on the question as to whether yoga propagates religion.
The opponents of the move also see the government directive as subtle coercion. This argument is strengthened by the directive that schools must hold yoga events coinciding with the June 21 event in Delhi and that students must compulsorily attend these events, even though it’s a Sunday. Such overdrives might go well with private entities like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, whose The Art of Living Foundation promotes meditation and yoga or Baba Ramdev, the yoga guru.
Making the practice of yoga mandatory in schools during the zero period also negates the very concept of a zero period, which is meant essentially for relaxation – set against the discipline and confinement of the class hours. Some students would rather do aerobic exercises, while others would spend time reading or just chat or play with friends.
Instead of imposing a particular activity on people, including schoolchildren, the government should start with simple measures. Schoolchildren could be encouraged to take to sports and games. This would keep their body fit and mind relaxed. This also helps people bond with each other and develop a team spirit. Police personnel need do more of physical exercise. They may be encouraged to not only cycle their way to work and back, but also use cycles in their daily work. This would help keep them in shape, control their bulging bellies and at the same time promote an environment-friendly mode of transport.
Government officials could walk short distances, instead of taking their office vehicles out all too often. People could also be encouraged to take the stairs instead of using the lift to climb a floor or two. Steps such as these – and not necessarily yoga — would go a long way towards keeping the nation healthy.
