Row Over Order to Chant ‘Om’ on Yoga Day Snowballs, Govt Retracts

Chanting of ‘Om’ had been proposed for International Yoga Day and recommended by the govt to offices and institutes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, (centre), performing yoga along with thousands of Indians on Rajpath, in New Delhi, India, Sunday, June 21, 2015. (Photo: PTI)

International Yoga Day has been synonymous with controversy ever since its first edition was led by Narendra Modi in a mega show at Rajpath, New Delhi on June 21st last year.

The latest edition in the list of controversies, the chanting of ‘Om’ and Vedic mantras has been included in a “protocol” for International Yoga Day sent by the government to offices, schools and colleges.

But as the controversy gathered a storm, the Ayush Ministry issued a clarification published by IANS. The ministry said on Tuesday that the rules are not compulsory.

There is no compulsion to chant ‘Om’ before the yoga session. It is completely voluntary and one can remain silent. No one will object

Anil Kumar Ganeriwala Joint Secretary, Ayush Ministry

Earlier, the ‘Common Yoga Protocol’ released by the government’s Ayush ministry had given a framework for a 45-minute programme on June 21 that included yoga postures, meditation and chanting.

What caused a controversy?

The universities have also been asked to draw up an action plan and “ensure wide participation of students and teachers.” The protocol says the session should begin with a “prayer in any meditative posture with namaskara mudra”. The mantra to be recited during the session has been taken from the Rigveda.