February 19, 2013 NEW DELHI: Nadeem Khan was chanting 'Mitraya Nama', with his hands folded, as Sanskrit shlokas blared loudly in the background. The 12-year-old student, oblivious to the religious significance of Surya Namaskar, performed it 13 times. "We were told in the morning that we have to go Ramlila Ground for some sports event," said Khan, balancing himself with some difficulty. In an ironic coincidence, a controversy brewed in Bihar assembly to include Surya Namaskar in government school curriculum.
He was among thousands of students across the country who participated in a Surya Namaskar event to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand's Guru, Swami Ram Krishan Paramhans, on Monday.
Any controversy far from their mind, the children chanted shlokas even as members of the Muslim clergy frowned. "It is a secular country," said the Shahi Imam, Ahmad Bukhari, "but anything which is even vaguely about offering prayers to a god other than Allah is haraam in Islam and one cannot force it upon us."
However, Surya Namaskar done without the intention of offering prayers to the Sun and minus the chants could be a harmless exercise for many.
"It is all about intention and what happened at Ramlila Ground was religiously motivated. If it is just yoga, then why chant Sanskrit shlokas or ask non-Hindus to chant it," said Bukhari.
However, the other students and teachers were finding it difficult to comprehend why the Muslim clergy and parents could find the exercise offensive. "Who says Yoga borders on indoctrination? It is just a form of exercise like aerobics and other sport drills. In convent schools, kids go to church - people should then object to that too," said a teacher who didn't wish to be named.
Muslim clerics were ready with an answer - going by that logic, namaaz too is a form of exercise since you repeatedly stand and sit. "If for some yoga is secular, then do it without the shlokas. Even namaaz without the Quran's verses is an exercise as people have to stand and sit frequently. Surya Namaskar is a prayer for the Sun god," said Maulana Mufti Mukarram Ahmad of Fatehpuri Masjid.
The organizers agreed it was true. "The 13 shlokas are prayers...these ask the Sun god to empower and enrich us with his power," said Sanjay Jain of Swami Vivekanada 150th Birth Anniversary Committee, who had organized the event.
Giggling all the time, even as the loudspeaker blared 'Narayana', Mohammed Afnan, a student of Class VI who was in a push-up position, said: "I don't care as I don't know the meaning of the words. The teachers asked us to do what others will be doing and I'm simply following instructions." "Teachers should respect other religions and always give an option to the students whether they wish to participate or not," said Bukhari.
ref :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslim-clergy-frowns-on-Surya-Namaskar/articleshow/18566060.cms
किया गया। इस कार्यक्रम में राजधानी के 200 स्कूलों के करीब आठ हजार
विद्यार्थियों ने हिस्सा लिया। इस अवसर पर आयोजित समारोह की अध्यक्षता
दिल्ली पुलिस के पूर्व आयुक्त श्री राधेश्याम गुप्ता ने की। इस मौके पर
मुख्य अतिथि के रूप में दिल्ली के अतिरिक्त शिक्षा निदेशक (खेल) पद्मश्री
श्री सतपाल और वक्ता के रूप में प्रसिद्ध साहित्यकार नरेन्द्र कोहली
उपस्थित थे। समारोह में सामूहिक सूर्य नमस्कार के अतिरिक्त विभिन्न
विद्यालयों से आए बच्चों ने आसन के अतिरिक्त पिरामिड निर्माण और शारीरिक
सौष्ठव का प्रर्दान किया। कार्यक्रम में राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ की ओर से
घोष प्रस्तुत किया गया।
The first meeting of the Swami Vivekananda Sardhashati Samaroh Samiti was held on 4th December, 2012. We are thankful to the honourable Sanrakshas and members for their participation in the meeting. The suggestions made by the members have been noted and every effort will be made to implement them.
