Maha BJP on mat over must Surya Namaskar

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, August 23

The BJP, which along with the Shiv Sena, controls the Mumbai MC has drawn flak from its own ally and opposition parties for trying to introduce yoga and Surya Namaskar in civic-run schools.

BJP councillor Samita Kamble, who enjoys support from the upper echelons of the party, moved the proposal despite stiff opposition from Samajwadi Party, Congress and the NCP, besides Sena.

Kamble said yoga and Surya Namaskar offered immense benefits and school students should be imparted training in these. She said these must be made compulsory in 400 Urdu medium schools being run by BMC.

However, the Samajwadi Party claimed Surya Namaskar was religious in nature and should not be foisted on all students.

Incidentally, the Shiv Sena which is the bigger of the two parties in the Mumbai civic body has demanded that municipal schools in Mumbai instruct students in martial arts rather than yoga and Surya Namaskar.

Shiv Sena leader in the BMC, Trushna Vishwasrao also felt that the BMC should not force yoga and Surya Namaskar on school students. She, however, felt that martial arts training would equip girl students for their self-defence. With the polls to the BMC due early next year, the Shiv Sena has already started a campaign to impart self-defence training to girls across Mumbai.