Kerala Minister kicks up row by opposing prayer before Yoga
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Kerala Health Minister KK Shylaja has kicked up a controversy by showing displeasure over reciting prayers during the state level inauguration of International Yoga Day celebration at Thiruvananthapuram.
"Yoga is for all, and it does not belong to any religion. It is a secular practice," the minister said while inaugurating the function organised by the Ayush Department. The minister said that the prayers and 'Keerthana's' recited during public Yoga performances should also be secular in nature.
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The minister, who is also a Central Committee member of the Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPM), did not hide her displeasure over reciting prayer as part of Yoga. "There is no issue in individuals using hymns to gain concentration as part of Yoga. And everyone has the right to invoke the god of their choice for that. At the same time, we should take into account that some citizens do not believe in God or religion. They also have a right to concentrate," Minister said while objecting to the prayer recited as part of the Yoga performance.
But the BJP and the Congress picked up ministers words and raised a political controversy. Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy termed the Minister's opinion as 'unfortunate.' Prayers are part of our culture, and it is accepted by all, including non-believers, he pointed out. The minister need not be intolerant towards prayers, he felt.
The BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekharan also objected to the Minister's statement. Who is the minister trying to appease, he said.
Minister Shylaja quickly responded to controversies and explained that she did not scold any official for including the prayer in the programme, as was reported by media. She also criticised the attempts to kick up an unwanted row. However, she stood by her opinion that the Yoga is a secular one and all have the right to chant or not to chant the hymns and slokas while doing Yoga.
