With various Muslim organisations crying foul over Haryana Government’s order to celebrate International Yoga Day with great pomp and gaiety across the State on June 21, three Muslim MlAs in the State are likely to stay away from the celebrations.
Indian National lok Dal’s MlA from Ferozpur Jhirka, Naseem Ahmed, INlD’s MlA from Nuh, Zakir Hussain and independent MlA from Punahana constituency, Rahish Khan have been invited to attend the functions in their constituencies by the BJP led Haryana Government but they are likely to skip the celebrations amid the controversy surrounding the yoga.
The main opposition INlD in Haryana has already made it clear that its MlAs would stay out of the celebrations planned on International Yoga Day by the ruling BJP across the state.Gearing up to observe International Yoga Day with great zeal and enthusiasm, Haryana Government has planned a state level function at Karnal while more than 100 functions are set to be organized at district and sub divisional headquarters on the day.
The State Government had on June 16 also issued a detailed programme for the celebrations at the district and sub- divisional stating that ministers, MPs and MlAs would be present there.
Talking to The Pioneer, MlA Naseem Ahmed, whose name was mentioned in Yoga day programme to be held at Ferozpur Jhirka, said that I have received invitation from the State Government but would not attend the function.Alleging that priorities of Haryana Government are wrong, Naseem Ahmed, one of the three Muslim MlAs in the state, said that Government should not force people to perform yoga.
“I am not against yoga but what would be the benefit of organizing large number of yoga functions on this day and wasting public money. The BJP should focus on keeping its poll promises and work on problems like water, electricity in Haryana,” added Naseem Ahmed.Another INlD MlA Zakir Hussain is also likely to follow suit and skip the celebrations.
On the other hand, though MlAs Rahish Khan endorsed Haryana Government’s plan to celebrate the yoga across the state, he refused to comment when asked if he would join the celebrations.“Yoga is good for public but some people want to create controversy out of everything,” said Rahish Khan, who may also opt out of State Government’s functions.
In its detailed programme issued, Haryana Government had claimed that the yoga day function in Ferozpur Jhirka would be held in the presence of Naseem Ahmed. In district Mewat, the celebrations would be held in Nuh in the presence of MlAs Rahish Khan and Zakir Hussain, stated the government’s press release. The press release had also named MPs and MlAs of INlD and Congress party who would attend functions at district level.
Apparently, the State Government’s move seems slightly myopic, given that the detailed programme was issued without holding discussions with the opposition parties.The Congress party has also announced to stay out of yoga day celebrations on June 21.Earlier this week, the opposition MlAs gave a miss to two days high powered ‘Yoga Prashikshan Shivar’ conducted by the State Government at Panchkula under the guidance of Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, who is Haryana’s brand ambassador for promotion of yoga and ayurveda.
Notably, Haryana Government has also made yoga compulsory in all schools of the state albeit, the decision drew criticism from some segments as yoga may be perceived to have religious overtones.