To counter Modi's yoga show, CPM to hold 'secular yoga' in Kerala

Modi - yoga

If Narendra Modi takes a good share of publicity with the grand show on International Yoga Day, the Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPM) is also going to grab a piece of it with what it claims as 'Secular Yoga' on Tuesday in Kerala. 

The CPM version of Yoga Day celebration will be held at Kollam in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. But unlike Modi, Vijayan will not attempt the 'Asanas.' The Yoga performance is organised by Indian Martial Arts and Yoga Study Centre, an organisation controlled by the CPM. 

The 'secular' version do not have Mantras or hymns and follows a specially designed syllabus. More than a thousand volunteers will participate in the programme and 35 Asanas will be performed. 'Suryanamaskar' and 'Om' will not find a place in the secular Yoga. 

The first public performance of CPM's brand of Yoga was held on 4 January 2016 in the CPM stronghold of Kannur where 1,200 party cadres sat on the red mattress and did Asanas as the top party leadership watched on with pride. Spiritual leader Sri M inaugurated the session. 

Call it an imitation or counter strategy, the CPM had also launched a 'volunteer sena' on the line of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Kannur that groomed select youths. The Yoga classes started as part of this group that was later picked up by various party organisations. The party is conducting regular Yoga classes to its members in all districts from last year. 

Interestingly, The Kerala CPM's attempts to appeal to the 'new generation' by emulating Yoga went against Party General Secretary Sitaram Yechuri's take on the ancient discipline. Observing that all Yoga exercises can be seen in dog's body movements, the CPM leader had said that the mass mobilisation by the BJP to celebrate the Yoga Day was an attempt to promote Hindutva agenda. He also felt it as an exercise to divert people's attention from basic issues.