With reports that Muslim organisations are holding Yoga training camps across the state for their participation in International Yoga Day there are reports that Government has `discouraged’ some Muslims teachers from attending this fest.
Around a fortnight back list of teachers from Chinhat block, at the outskirt of lucknow was sent to the office of the Education Department for clearance. last week the list came minus the names of Muslim teachers in this.
Four Muslim teachers - Abdul Hamid Khan of Primary school Baurumau, Fazil Ahmad Khan of Primary school Raipur, Shaila Jabi and Adil Mansauri from Juggaur Primary Schools – found their name missing from the final list. Incidentally, two of these four teachers Fazil Ahmad and Adil Manuasri are President Awardee for their excellence in teaching work.
“I do not know why our names are not there in the list though we teach Yoga to students as it has been introduced in the school curriculum by this (Yogi) Government,” Abdul Hamid Khan told this reporter.
He tries to play safe and said probably Muslims have not been included because of Ramzaan. “Government probably thought that Muslims are observing Roza in this pious month of Ramazan. In the first our name was there in the list but then no one asked us to fill the form while others filled it,” he said.
A co-ordinator who is Assistant Block Resource Centre Co-ordinator, and prepared the list said some Muslims might have been left out inadvertently. “There is no design in this,” she said seeking anonymity but could not answer as how many Muslim teachers are in the list who will take part in the Yoga festival.
She again called back to clarify her position saying "jaisa aadesh hoga vaisa hee karenge hum."
A senior officer Ajay Dwivedi when contacted said that teachers might have shown reluctance to participate in Yoga event because majority of them observe Roza. There is no religious bias. Even Muslim students take part in Yoga, she said and added that she is just a teacher and will do what will be asked to do.
The Yoga festival will be held by Uttar Pradesh Government in collaboration with AYUSH Ministry. Over 60,000 volunteers including members of Patanjali, Art of living, teachers, students and government employees would take part in this event.
The participants would be given a water bottles, T shirts and Yoga mat.
During Akhilesh Yadav regime International Yoga Day was celebrated at low key. Central Government organisations including CRPF held Yoga camp at KD Singh Babu stadium last year which was led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. This camp was primarily attended by BJP leaders and officials of the Central Government.
With the change of Government the situation has taken a turn. Chief Minister Yogi has declared that Yoga should be made compulsory in schools and has asked sports teachers to learn Yoga during summer vacations and teach the same to students after June.
Meanwhile, over 500 Muslims students and youths are regularly talking part in practice sessions held in minority schools and institutions. Shia cleric Maulana Yunous Abbas led the training camp in National PG College. He said such camps are ing held for last many days in Shia PG College and other minority institutions too.
“These camps are being held under `Yog karo, Nirog Raho banner’. There is enthusiasm among the Muslims to take part in International Yoga Day. Muslims participation will be high tis time in this fest,” he said.