File Photo: Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda
Flaying Karnataka Social Welfare Minister H Ajaneya's controversial remarks that yoga is for lazy people, Union Law Minister DV Sadananda Gowda today said it reflects the mentality of such people.
"It is unfair to comment against yoga, and there have been a few people across the country who are making such statements. It shows their mentality," he told PTI in Bengaluru.
Mr Anjaneya, in remarks contrasting his own government's position on yoga, had said yesterday that "yoga is for lazy people, especially people belonging to well do families. They do not have time for exercise in the open including taking a walk."
Mr Gowda said yoga is one medicine to overcome mental stress which people in high profile posts suffer from. "We all used to do it (yoga) because people on high-profile posts are in mental stress. Today's food culture also does not help people keep good health. For all this (problems), there is one medicine - that is yoga," he said.
Further countering Mr Anjaneya's remarks, Mr Gowda referred to favourable remarks made by his cabinet colleagues - Health Minister UT Khader and Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Ramanath Rai.
"Oscar Fernandes (Congress leader and former Union Minister) says that he is maintaining good health because he has been for last several years has been performing yoga," he said.
"Ramanath Rai also says that he cannot perform his duties without doing yoga and Khader says we all practise yoga half an hour every day," he added.