Jammu and Kashmir administration criticized after Surya Namaskar’s order

On Friday, various political and religious groups criticized the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s order on directing college heads for organizing large-scale ‘Surya Namaskar’ on the occasion of Makar Sankranti in the Union territory to ensure the participation of students and staff members. 

The Surya Namaskar order was the government’s initiative, which drew criticism from several political and religious groups who termed it as an interference in religious matters. The event was to be held online as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.

• Controversy on J& K administration’s order on Surya Namaskar 
• Over 75 lakh people performed Surya Namaskar 

The Higher Education Department issued an order on the occasion of Makar Sankranti that, “To mark the holy occasion of ‘Makar Sankranti’ on January 14, the Government of India has desired a large scale virtual ‘Surya Namaskar’ under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Celebrations. Kindly ensure that all faculty members and students actively participate in this program”. After releasing the order, the various religious and political group’s started criticizing J&K administration’s order. At the same time, Officials of the Higher Education Department did not respond to its queries. 

Reacting to the order, many political leaders reacted in different ways. The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) said the authorities were well aware that J&K was a Muslim majority and would not participate in practices of other religions.

MMU released the statement on Friday that “Muslims of J&K are respectful of all religions and believe in harmonious coexistence. The orders narrate the sorry state of affairs prevailing in India, where the practice of one religion gets promoted and imposed in the name of peace. In contrast, the other (Friday prayer in Jama Masjid) gets banned and barred in the name of threat”.  

Former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah and various political parties criticized the order.

Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti said that such orders were ‘Government of India’s public relation misadventures aimed to demean and collectively humiliate Kashmiris’. “(Such) orders…give an insight into their communal mindset,” she said. 

NC’s Omar Abdullah said Muslim students should not be forced to do anything, including Yoga, to celebrate Makar Sankranti, and whether to celebrate it or not should be a personal choice. The Vice President of the National Conference wrote on Twitter, “Would the BJP be happy if a similar order was issued to order non-Muslim students to celebrate Eid?”  

In the series of tweets, People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone said: “With these Surya Namaskars, you (government) are emulating the radicals.” After the uproar, J&K LG advisor Farooq Khan later in the day said Surya Namaskar wasn’t mandatory for any government employee. “If employees don’t do Surya Namaskar, he or she is not doing a crime and won’t be terminated,” he added.  

“On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, the Youth Services and Sports Office in Anantnag organized a large-scale virtual and physical performance of ‘Surya Namaskar’ by students and staff members. The exercise was performed at the district headquarters and some other areas of the district following COVID-19 guidelines, the spokesman said.

The participants showed a lot of interest in the exercise. They all believe that such events improve physical fitness, particularly when they are in home isolation due to Covid restrictions. He claimed and added that the initiative was taken as part of the ‘Azaadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’. 

Whereas India celebrated Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, commemorating 75 years of India’s Independence. Over 75 lakh people from the entire world, including India and performed Surya Namaskar together to keep body and mind healthy keep themselves safe during the Covid pandemic.  

Published by- Aashay Bhujbal

Edited by- Subbuthai Padma