People performing yoga. (Agence France-Presse)
Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar today said it is not compulsory for schools in the state to hold International Yoga Day on June 21.
The Chief Minister's clarification comes a day after the state education department asked schools to hold International Yoga Day.
"Yoga day is not compulsory in schools. We will not punish anyone if they don't hold Yoga Day in their schools," Mr Parsekar said, when asked about the education department's recent circular that had asked schools to submit detailed report on how Yoga Day was celebrated by them.
Mr Parsekar said he had received call from a Catholic priest who had said having Yoga on Sunday is not possible as students have to attend the 'Mass' in Chruch.
"I have told the schools that they can have it (celebrations) on Saturday, Sunday or even Monday as per their convenience. But Yoga is not compulsory. We are not forcing it on anyone," said Mr Parsekar.
The Goa government has been doing flip-flops on Yoga Day celebrations.
The education department had earlier issued circular asking all the schools to participate in Yoga Day at a state level function organised at Bambolim.
The department had later withdrawn this circular after protests from the school managements.