Kerala health minister K.K. Shailaja on Tuesday objected to the recital of a prayer with religious overtones at the state-level function held in connection with International Yoga Day.
Kerala health minister K.K. Shailaja on Tuesday objected to the recital of a prayer with religious overtones at the state-level function held in connection with International Yoga Day.
The minister, who inaugurated the function organised by the Ayush department at the central stadium here, was upset over the choice of prayers at the inaugural function and prior to the start of yoga session. Ms Shailaja, who participated in the session, however, chose not to recite the prayer like other participants.
During her inaugural speech, she expressed her displeasure over choosing the prayer with religious overtones. “Ours is a secular country. We need to be particularly careful to ensure that the secular view reflects in yoga as well. Before doing yoga, one can pray for concentration of mind. The faithful can begin yoga by reciting prayers of gods they believe in. But according to the Constitution, there are people in India who are non-believers. They too have their own ways for concentration of mind,” she said.
She was trying to suggest that the organisers could have chosen a prayer that is convenient for people of all faiths to recite.
