Amid the controversy over the usage of vyayamshalas (gym) in Haryana as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) shakhas, the state Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anil Vij on Monday said that vyayam and yogshalas can only be used for yoga and exercise by people belonging to any community and religion.
The yogshalas would not be allowed to be used for any religious, social or political purpose, said the Minister.
Vij clarified that a person belonging to any caste, religion or political party can visit these vyayam and yogshalas for yoga and exercise. No one would be allowed to do any other activity there, he said.
He added that Yoga is above all and universally respected.
The Minister further said that the State Government has so far established about 400 yogshalas and yogshalas are being established in all villages, towns and cities of the state. The process of recruitment of yoga teachers has also been started for these yogshalas, Anil Vij added.
Notably, Haryana Agriculture minister Om Prakash Dhankar had stirred a controversy with his statement last week that vyayamshalas will also be used as RSS shakhas (units) in the state.
This was not the first time when such a comment had come from a Cabinet Minister in Haryana. Earlier, Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma had also mentioned that the gyms will be used as RSS units. Another Cabinet Minister, Karan Dev Kamboj, had also supported the idea and said RSS units are used for exercising and playing games.
The statement had however attracted sharp criticism from Congress and Indian National lok Dal.
lashing out at the BJP led Haryana Government, former Speaker of Haryana Assembly and Congress MlA Kuldeep Sharma had sought a complete ban on RSS activities held at open spaces in Haryana. “RSS is trying to divide society on religion and caste basis. Hence, RSS activities should be banned in open spaces in Haryana,” Sharma had alleged.
Another Congress MlA, Karan Singh Dalal had also attacked the BJP over the issue and said that using government funds to promote RSS agenda is highly condemnable. This is a conspiracy to divide the society, he had said.
On the other hand, INlD’s leader Praveen Attrey had also slammed the State Government saying that the vyayamshalas are government property while RSS is a private organization. A government property should not be used to promote RSS activities, said he.