Participation in Yoga Day function not mandatory for public servants: Bengal govt to Calcutta HC

Kolkata, The Calcutta High Court on Friday disposed of a petition by an employees' union questioning a West Bengal government order on participation in the International Yoga Day function, noting that the state clarified it is a general appeal to all public servants and not mandatory.

Claiming that a memo issued by West Bengal's chief secretary called for mandatory participation in the celebration by all employees, the State Coordination Committee of West Bengal Government Employees, a Left-leaning organisation, challenged his authority to issue the directive.

Disposing of the petition after receiving the government's stand from additional advocate general Billwadal Bhattacharya, Justice Amrita Sinha verbally observed, "This litigation was not required."


The court noted that the written instruction by the West Bengal government mentions that the chief secretary's order "is a general appeal to all public servants to participate in the official function on the occasion of International Day of Yoga."

It stated that the order is "not mandatory in nature and no punitive or coercive action was contemplated or incorporated in case of failure to attend due to personal reasons."

Disposing of the petition, the court said that in view of the instruction forwarded by the state government, there is no requirement to proceed with the petition any further.

The International Day of Yoga will be celebrated across West Bengal, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to attend the main programme at Red Road in central Kolkata.