PM Modi joined the International Yoga Day event at Delhi's Rajpath last year
Highlights
- International Yoga Day to be celebrated on June 21
- Letter to schools, colleges, offices says 'chant Om, prayers'
- Yoga Day celebrations to be held in Chandigarh this year
In a move tailor-made for controversy, the chanting of '
Om' and Vedic mantras has been included in a "protocol" for International Yoga Day sent by the government to offices, schools and colleges.
The 'Common Yoga Protocol' released by the government's Ayush ministry gives a framework for a 45-minute programme on June 21 that includes yoga postures, meditation and chanting. The protocol has been circulated among universities, schools and offices.
The ministry said on Tuesday that the rules are not compulsory. "There is no compulsion to chant 'Om' before the yoga session. It is completely voluntary and one can remain silent. No one will object," joint secretary Anil Kumar Ganeriwala was quoted as telling IANS.
A letter from the University Grants Commission to Vice Chancellors, however, requests their "personal indulgence" in celebrating the day in a "befitting manner". Colleges have also been asked to draw up an action plan and "ensure wide participation of students and teachers."
The protocol says the session should begin with a "prayer in any meditative posture with
namaskara mudra". The mantra to be recited during the session has been taken from the Rigveda.
Last year, a similar move had led to anger and protests that forced the Centre to clarify that the chanting of 'Om' is not compulsory.
The main Yoga Day event will take place in Chandigarh this year instead of Delhi.
Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined nearly 40,000 students and government officials in a yoga session at Rajpath in the heart of the capital.
Urged by PM Modi, the UN announced the International Yoga Day in 2014 after 191 nations voted in favour of the initiative taken by India.