Yoga to Be Made Compulsory in Government Schools in UP

During a meeting earlier this week, officials were instructed to introduce Yoga in all government schools.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently said that Yoga will be attached with education and made compulsory in all government schools in Uttar Pradesh. (Photo: Reuters)

After issuing a series of diktats, the Yogi Adityanath-led UP government now wants to make Yoga compulsory in state-run schools.

"People try to create confusion, but Yoga is neither belongs to Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or Christians...(the aim) should be that the body is healthy... What is wrong if school children practice Yoga?... Everyone should practice it given its health benefits," Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma said on Friday, while speaking about the plan to introduce Yoga in government schools.

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Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath too had recently spoken about the move, and had added:

I have not invented Yoga, it has long been practiced and it is a tradition given to us by our saints for the benefit of the people. It is a practice devised by them for ensuring a healthy body and healthy mind.

During a meeting chaired by Adityanath earlier this week, officials were instructed to introduce Yoga in all government schools.

According to an official statement, the Chief Minister made the 'Rani Laxmibai Aatmaraskha Kaaryakram' (self-defence programme) and 'Yog Shiksha Kaaryakram' (Yoga education programme) compulsory in schools.