BJP protecting officer who issued circular on yoga in schools: SP

The SP had demanded that the officer, Mahesh Palkar, be suspended on account of a circular issued by him asking schools to practise yoga during assembly sessions. The party has alleged that the circular is illegal as the official did not have the administration’s approval to issue it.

Continuing its protest against yoga, the Samajwadi Party (SP) on Wednesday said that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has failed to take action against the education officer as he is being “protected” by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The circular was issued days before the Shiv Sena-BJP passed a motion making yoga and surya namaskar compulsory in schools. (HT FILE PHOTO)

The SP had demanded that the officer, Mahesh Palkar, be suspended for issuing a circular asking schools to practise yoga during assembly sessions. The party has alleged that the circular is illegal as the official did not have the administration’s approval to issue it.

The circular was issued days before the Shiv Sena-BJP passed a motion making yoga and surya namaskar compulsory in schools.

Rais Shaikh, SP corporator, said, “The BJP is protecting the official by not letting the administration take any action. It is saffronising education in the city and we are completely against it.”

But the BJP denied the allegations and said that Shaikh is only looking at politicising the issue. Manoj Kotak, BJP corporator, said, “It is a valid circular and students must avail of the benefits of yoga, which is just a form of exercise. Rais Shaikh is only looking at politicising this issue.”

The SP has now formed a 5-member committee to carry forward the agitation against its claims of mixing religion and education. It plans to file a petition in the Bombay high court challenging the motion passed in the BMC next week.