Surya namaskar and yoga made mandatory in Mumbai civic schools, including 400 Urdu schools

Mumbai : In a controversial proposal passed by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Tuesday yoga and Surya Namaskar has been declared  mandatory in all  civic schools run by BMC, this include 400 Urdu school too.

The proposal was forwarded by BJP  corporator Samita Kamble. While the Opposition parties demanded that yoga and Surya Namaskar be made optional, the proposal was passed with ruling Shiv Sena corporators voting for it.

The decision will affect over 5.4 lakh students who study in nearly 1,230 municipal schools in the city.

BMC runs 1,188 primary and 49 secondary schools in Mumbai. This includes nearly 400 Urdu-medium schools.

BJP corporators, however, argued that surya namaskar is yoga and does not have any religious colour. Dilip Patel, a BJP corporator said, “It has been internationally accepted that yoga is the best form of exercise. Bringing in religion is a political tactic by SP.”
Courtesy: MM