MIZORAM, INDIA, November 26, 2016 (northeasttoday.in): The Mizoram BJP has stated that yoga practice is not religiously dangerous further it is safe as it is mostly related with physical exercise and mental health practice. While interacting with reporters, BJP vice-president F. Lal Thanzuala said, “Although classical yoga is related with Hindu philosophy, but if it is used for physical exercise and mental health practice by not chanting Hindu mantra there is nothing to be panic about it.” He added that those who have talked about danger of practicing yoga did not know about provision of protection of Mizo religious belief enshrined in the constitution.
According to him article 371-G of the peace accord with the government of India signifies that no act of parliament which may affect religious or social practice of the Mizos can be implemented in Mizoram unless the state legislative assembly passed it. “If there is a directive from parliament to introduce yoga in Mizoram, state assembly session should be summoned in which a decision not to introduce yoga should be based on Article 371-G.”
He further said, “As long as yoga is practice for physical or mental health or is practiced with Christian belief. It is not unsafe for Mizos.” Mizoram is 87% Christian.
HPI note: This rather unusual declaration (especially coming from the BJP) apparently is in reaction to the Christian church here objecting to the observance of International Yoga Day in June. See http://www.firstpost.com/politics/in-mizoram-bjps-trump-card-is-development-not-saffronisation-2843530.html. In that article, the state BJP said, “We are having a difficult time in convincing the church and the people here, that Hindutva is not our agenda, but development is.”