Nagaland student bodies oppose the Sunday International Day of Yoga observance, citing religious and cultural concerns.
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DIMAPUR — A government-mandated International Day of Yoga celebration has once again run into stiff opposition in Nagaland, with the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) and the Eastern Naga Students' Federation (ENSF) spearheading a fresh wave of protests against the department of School Education's directive requiring educational institutions to observe the event on June 21.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NSF expressed “grave resentment and unequivocal opposition” to the Directorate of School Education’s circular.
The federation slammed the decision to schedule the event on a Sunday—a day sacred to the state's predominantly Christian population for worship, prayer, and fellowship.
It stated that forcing yoga programs onto a Sunday directly violates religious freedoms guaranteed under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, as well as established international human rights principles.
Calling for immediate withdrawal of the notification, the NSF cautioned the directorate and the state government against enforcing compliance and asserted that any attempt to compel participation would be met with “appropriate democratic resistance.”
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The federation further warned authorities, school administrations and individuals against exerting pressure or intimidation on teachers, students or educational institutions to participate in the event, saying such actions would amount to a violation of religious rights and freedoms.
It also instructed all its federating units and subordinate bodies to remain vigilant and ensure that no such activities are imposed in educational institutions under their jurisdictions, while directing them to report any attempts to enforce the programme to the federation office.
Meanwhile, the ENSF also voiced concern over the department's circular, stating that while it respects cultural diversity and recognises the importance of physical fitness, compulsory observance of Yoga Day in schools is “not in consonance with the indigenous traditions, customs and cultural practices of the Naga people.”
The federation maintained that activities carrying cultural, religious or philosophical connotations should remain voluntary rather than mandatory, particularly in educational institutions serving students from diverse backgrounds.
Stating that educational spaces should remain sensitive to local cultural and traditional sentiments, the ENSF said making Yoga Day compulsory could be perceived as disregarding the unique identity and traditions of the Naga people.
In view of its objections, the ENSF announced that it has invalidated the department's notification across the eastern region and directed all its federating units to monitor schools, abstain from participating in Yoga Day activities and report any institution observing the event in Eastern Nagaland.