Muslim organisations have criticised the Madhya Pradesh government’s decision to arrange ‘surya namaskar’ and yoga programme in all government-run schools and colleges. The ruling BJP government has instructed district collectors not only to organise the function in government schools and colleges but also ask non-governmental educational institutions to join in.
A delegation of Muslim organisations submitted a memorandum to governor Balram Jakkar saying ‘surya namaskar’ was against the tenets of Islam. The delegation – led by Nazim of Jamia Islamia Maulana Mohammad Ahmed, president of National Minorities Development Service Front, Sahabzada Abdur Rashid Khan and Noorullah Yusuf Zai of Jamait Ullama – argued that the government’s plan would have an undesirable effect on Muslims students. Opposition Congress, too, has criticised the state government for the yoga programme.