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Firebrand BJP leader Yogi Adityanath has stoked a controversy with his remarks that those opposing ’surya namaskar’ should "drown in the sea".

With certain minority groups protesting against inclusion of ’Surya namaskar’ exercise during the June 21 International Yoga Day celebrations, the Gorakhpur MP said, "Sun is the source of life giving energy. Whoever thinks Sun is communal, I would like to humbly request them to drown themselves in the sea or they should stay in a dark cell."

"Sun God has never deprived anyone of its light based on caste, creed or religion. Despite that if they are calling sun communal, I feel amused at their mindset," said the BJP leader yesterday at a religious event in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency.

"And my request to them would be that they should not take the sunlight or even its warmth," said the saffron-clad leader, who is known for courting controversy with his inflammatory remarks.

Adityanath’s remarks came after the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board said that it will move the Supreme Court against inclusion of Surya namaskar and Yoga in schools.

Congress and Samajwadi Party hit out the BJP leader, saying he was trying to create a communal divide, and stressed that nobody can force their own belief system on any citizen.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah mocked Adityanath’s remarks saying many people "will have to pack" their bags.

Congress leader Rita Bahuguna said, "Every time he (Adityanath) speaks, he spits venom. He tries to create a communal divide by giving communal statements. What is the reason to say that those who don’t want to do this should leave the country?

"Talking about certain communities that have certain reservations about some parts of yoga, what is the use? It is an exercise for physical and mental well-being. Those who don’t want to do it should be allowed not to do it."

SP’s Gaurav Bhatia recalled that the Prime Minister had recently told his partymen that such statements will not be tolerated.

"And again we hear the habitual offender Yogi Adityanath making such a statement. In our country everyone has the right to profess his religion, to have his own belief system and no body can force his own belief system on any citizen," he said.

Reacting to Adityanath’s remarks, Omar said on Twitter, "The solution to overcrowding in India since so many of us will have to pack our bags. Ek teer do shikar (killing two birds with one stone)."

’What Does Surya Namaskar Have to do With Religion,’ Says Ramdev on Yoga Day Controversy

Haridwar:  Yoga guru Ramdev will bring 5,000 of his followers to Rajpath on June 21, International Yoga Day, to perform yoga with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and about 30,000 others at Delhi’s Rajpath. But their 35-minute early morning demonstration will not include the famous sun salutation or Surya Namaskar and not just because it is one of the harder yoga routines to perform.

 The Surya Namaskar has reportedly not been included for the Yoga Day event in view of objections voiced by Muslim groups. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has said, "It is against our religious beliefs and should not be forced on our children."

At his sprawling Haridwar complex, Baba Ramdev said to NDTV, "What does breathing have to do with any religion?" adding, "One of the reasons the Surya Namaskar got controversial is because some people started chanting mantras with it.’’ He said that was not necessary.

 "People have not represented it well. In fact, you don’t even have to look east while doing the Surya Namaskar." But the yoga teacher defended the chanting of "Om", saying it generates energy.

 Seeking to allay the apprehensions of Muslim groups Baba Ramdev said, "When one does Namaz, isn’t that exactly like Vajrasana?" pointing out the similarity between the posture for offering prayers in Islam and the yoga asana.

 He appealed to religious leaders to join in the yoga day demonstration and said even the Darul ul loom seminary school Deoband had welcomed him and done yoga with him.

 Before he heads to Delhi, the yoga guru will train bureaucrats and ministers of the Haryana government in a two-day session from June 15. He is the BJP-ruled state’s brand ambassador and has also recently proposed a new education system to the state that includes moral education, Sanskrit and yoga.

 "People have reduced the status of Sanskrit; I want it to be restored,’’ Baba Ramdev said.

 He said he has made a similar proposal to the Centre, also led by the BJP. "I have met Smriti Irani and the Prime Minister and they were very supportive,’’ the yoga teacher said.