A massive signature campaign, launched by the Samajwadi Party against the Sena-BJP-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) decision to make yoga and Surya Namaskar mandatory in civic schools,
A massive signature campaign, launched by the Samajwadi Party against the Sena-BJP-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) decision to make yoga and Surya Namaskar mandatory in civic schools, has witnessed a mere 8,000 persons penning down their consent in the last seven days. To garner support against the decision, the party had been holding public meetings inviting students and parents to discuss their views.
However, stressing that the campaign is doing fine, Samajwadi Party leader in the BMC, Rais Shaikh, said, “We are mainly targeting Muslim parents of students studying in municipal corporation schools and Urdu-medium school teachers. So far, we have collected about 8,000 signatures.”
On Friday, the Samajwadi Party had conducted a signature campaign in Madanpura. However, the number of signatures collected by the evening could not be ascertained. Meanwhile, the party has sent a legal notice to municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta, demanding him to withdraw the proposal and has even threatened to take legal action after a week. “The commissioner is yet to reply to the legal notice we sent about a week ago. Hence, we are deliberating on what clauses can be used in the case,” Mr Shaikh said. However, a section of the Muslim community did not support the Samajwadi Party in its tussle with the civic body. Aamir Edresy, founder president of the city-based Association of Muslim Professionals, said, “Our religion does not let us to bow down to any other entity other than Allah. So we do not agree with the BMC’s decision. However, the right way to solve the issue would be to approach the court. Our Constitution is strong and sound. As this proposal encroaches on the fundamental rights, I am sure the court will turn it down immediately.”
Mr Edresy added that with the BMC polls a few months away, both the BJP and the Samajwadi Party have begun a political game, giving it a communal colour.
