Political, religious groups criticise J&K administration's order on 'surya namaskar'

January 14, 2022 17:04

Various political and religious groups on Friday criticised the Jammu and Kashmir administration's order directing college heads in the union territory to organise large-scale 'surya namaskar' on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

The event was to be held online on Friday as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations and officials of the Higher Education department did not respond to queries about it.

The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), an amalgam of several religious organisations, took strong exception to the order and said the authorities were well aware that Jammu and Kashmir is Muslim-majority and like people from other religions, Muslims will not participate in religious practices of other religions.

"To deliberately force them to do so by issuing directives is mischievous," it said. "The Muslims of J-K are respectful of all religions and believe in harmonious coexistence, but will never yield to any pressure, if and when there is any interference in matters related to their faith, it said in a statement.

"The recent open call to genocide of Muslims of India at a religious conference in Haridwar and the silence of the state in this regard is a shocking case of bigotry and discrimination against Muslims, which has become the order of the day," it alleged.

The amalgam asked the administration to desist from issuing such orders in the future. Former chief ministers -- Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti -- and various political parties also criticised the order.

"Why should Muslim students be forced to do anything, including yoga, to celebrate Makar Sankranti? Makar Sankranti is a festival & to celebrate it or not must be a personal choice. Would the BJP be happy if a similar order was issued to order non-Muslim students to celebrate Eid?" Abdullah, the National Conference vice president, wrote on Twitter.

Mehbooba, who is also the PDP president, said the Centre's misadventures aim to collectively humiliate Kashmiris.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Satwik-Chirag, Crasto-Ponnappa move to Thailand Open semifinals

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty sailed to the semifinals with a straight-game win over Malaysians Junaidi Arif and Roy King Yap

Kanhaiya Kumar attacked during campaigning in Delhi

Kanhaiya in a statement said the attack was ordered by rival contender from the constituency Manoj Tiwari.

M&M shifts to high gear with Rs 37K cr investments

Automotive (auto) major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), which is readying to launch nine sport utility vehicles (internal combustion engine/ICE), seven Born Electric Vehicles (BEVs), and seven light commercial vehicles by 2030, has outlined...

SC bids adieu to 'Mr Dependable' Justice A S Bopanna

Quoting Greek philosopher Socrates, Justice Bopanna emphasised that there are four qualities that are expected of a judge -- to hear courteously, to consider soberly, to answer wisely and to decide impartially.

To save a goon ...: AAP vs Swati Maliwal out in open

Atishi said the video shows Maliwal "comfortably sitting in the drawing room" and "threatening the security staff", and that "her clothes were not torn".