Wrong to link yoga with religion: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

NEW DELHI: Politics over health is injurious to health, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said asserting that it is wrong to link yoga with religion.

Addressing an event to mark International Day of Yoga at Faridabad, Naqvi said "some ignorant people are linking yoga with religion. It is wrong, as yoga is purely related to health, mind and soul."

A statement from his office quoted the Minister of State for Minority Affairs as saying that the entire world is today celebrating "health event" with dedication.

"Politics over health is injurious to health, and this has been proved by the trust shown for yoga by the entire world," he said.

He congratulated Prime Minister for his commitments and said that it is a proud moment for the country today.

"With the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 177 countries co-sponsored a resolution in the United Nations to declare 21 June as the 'International Yoga Day'. The United Nations also observed that yoga is beneficial for all human being," Naqvi said.

He referred Yoga as the key to good health. "Yoga is the golden key to good health and health is the real wealth. Yoga provides energy to our body as well as our mind. It helps in maintaining a balance in our lifestyle," added Naqvi.

The event witnessed the participation of more than 3000 people including politicians, security personnel, women, children and minority sections who performed the vedic art under the guidance of members of Patanjali Yog Samiti of Bharat Swabhiman Trust.

Tips on acupressure were also given on the occasion along with Yoga.

Various asanas like Surya Namaskar, Kapalbhati, Anulom Vilom, Titli, Bhramri, Chakki, Hastasan, Vakrasan, Nadi Shodhan, Dhyan, Shavasan etc., were performed during the occasion.