After Muslim community threatening to move court on celebration of International Yoga Day on June 21, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said there is no compulsion for anyone to take part in the function as the Union Government “had never made participation compulsory.” “The Government has never announced participation a must for all. But we want that people from all caste, creed and religion to take part in the Yoga festival. People should not create controversy over this issue,” Singh told reporters here on Tuesday. Singh, who is on a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency said on the initiative of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United Nations have accepted India’s proposal to celebrate June 21 as International Yoga Day and 172 countries will take part in massive programme. It is an Indian science and we should propagate it,” he said.
When asked about the objection raised by All India Muslim Personnel law Board (AIMPlB) calling Yoga and Surya Namaskar an non-Islamic act, he said, “I cannot comment on AIMPlB decision but this is also a fact that many Muslim countries, including Bangladesh will celebrate Yoga Day on June 21.” Singh said he will take part in the massive programme to be held in his Parliamentary constituency on June 21 where members of all Government organisations; children from different schools and members of para-military forces will take part.
When asked about BJP’s prospect in the Bihar elections after JD (U)-RJD and Congress stitched an alliance Singh said that people of Bihar have already made up their mind to support the BJP and the next Government will be of the party. “This alliance will have no impact on the BJP. We are on the strong footing. People have seen one year’s performance of Modi Government and they will definitely vote for stability than anarchy,” the Home Minister said.
When asked whether the party will announce Chief Minister’s name much before the elections, Singh said, “The decision will be taken by the Central Parliamentary Committee.” The Union Home Minister also appealed to the Naxalites to shun violence. “They are part of the society and, hence, they should also join the country’s development agenda,” he added. Earlier, the MP from lucknow had announced a Rs3,000 crore outer ring road for the State capital to be constructed by NHAI.