Click to play videoBhopal: The controversial suryanamaskar programme kicked off in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday despite stiff opposition from a section of religious minorities.
The High Court had made participation in the programme voluntary and the government, on its part, decided to do away with religious hymns.
As students in all government schools performed suryanamaskar and pranayam, Chief Mininster Shivraj Singh Chauhan dismissed the protests over the issue as petty politics.
"We should not try to link yoga with religion. It has nothing to do with religion. An isolated complaint cannot be considered widespread protests. We'd already stated that yoga was not compulsory,“ he said.
The CM had his yoga session in Bhopal, while his ministerial colleagues participated in functions held at district headquarters. Those who took part highlighted the benefits of yoga.
Yoga has nothing to do with religion and it is good for the health of people of all religions,” said Shara Khan.
The opposition has dubbed the entire exercise as an effort to saffronise education.
But the state government appears undaunted. It has now decided to teach yoga in all schools.
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