Revoke Surya Namaskar order, civil groups ask Rajasthan govt.

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By IndiaTomorrow.net,
Jaipur, 07 Feb 2015: Several secular, human rights, and minority organisations on Friday came forth opposing the order of the Rajasthan government of BJP making Surya Namaskar, national anthem, national song, yoga and meditation compulsory for all students. The organisations held that the order clearly violated the provisions of Right to Freedom of Religion, given in the articles 25, 26, 27, 28 of the constitution of the country.

“India is a secular country. How can you impose rituals of a certain religion on others who do not profess your religion?” asked Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s National Secretary Dr. Mohammad Salim Engineer. He was addressing a joint press conference here at Indiana Classic Hotel.

Besides Dr. Salim, Sawai Singh, convener Sadbhav Manch Rajasthan, Qari Mueenuddin, convener Rajasthan Muslim Forum, Prem Krishna Sharma, State President People’s Union For Civil Liberties, Father Vijay Paul Singh, President Masihi Shakti Sangathan, T.C. Rahul, State President Bhartiya Bodh Mahasabha, Father Edward Olieveira, St. Anslem’s Sr. Secondary School, Father John Mathew, Director Emmanuel Sr. Secondary School Jhotwara, Sister Helen, Principal Sophia Girls Sr. Secondary School, Ghatgate, Father J.C. Joseph of All Saints’ Church School, Professor M Hasan, President IRADA Society, M Shahid Khan, State President Students Islamic Organisation Of India, Father Sam Abraham were also present at the press conference and addressed the media.

“Everybody knows the services that Christian Community has rendered to the society, we respect the constitution of India and we love our country, but we will not accept anything imposed on our students,” said Father Olieveira. “In our institutions, we never force our students to participate in any activity that does not suit their belief”, he added.

Qari Mueenuddin strongly opposed the directive of the directorate of secondary education saying “This is the matter that violates our faith, we believe in only one God and hence can never worship other than Him only, we can’t worship the sun, moon the land or any other thing, save God. If any of such rituals are made mandatory, we will oppose it by every possible means that our constitution allows.

In 1986, the Supreme Court of India held in a case, Bijoy Emmanuel v/s Kerala Government (AIR 1987 SC 748 [3]), that not any citizen can be forced to sing any song, as it was a matter of making the singing of national anthem mandatory in schools. Similarly, the MP High court refuted the order of the MP government imposing surya namaskar in schools, once in 2007 and again in 2009.

Prem Krishna Sharma, a Supreme Court lawyer, held the government order as violation of the fundamental rights of the citizens as it is obviously a ritual of a certain religion that cannot be imposed on any one.

The organisations believed that the said order was reflection of the fascist and communal ideology of the ruling BJP who is moving the RSS’s agenda forward. They believed that the order will harm the harmony and brotherhood of the state, adversely affect the tender minds and divide the students on religious basis.

While unanimously condemning the erroneous step of the government, all organisations demanded revoking of the order and ensuring right to freedom of religion to all citizens. The organisations have sought time from Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje to meet over the issue, said Dr. M. Iqbal Siddiqui, Media Secretary of Sadbhav Manch.

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