Khader bats for yoga, debunks religion link

MANGALURU/BENGALURU: Karnataka health minister UT Khader on Wednesday decried attempts to bring religion into the celebration of International Day of Yoga on June 21. He said the decision of participating should be left to individuals. "Yoga is a well-established Indian traditional health system. It's a gift handed to us by our ancestors," Khader said when his reaction was sought on some Muslim groups objecting to the inclusion of surya namaskar in schools. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board had stated the practice is against their religious beliefs and should not be forced. Khader said it's prudent to create awareness on the health impact that yoga has on people. Talking of his experience, Khader said, "Yoga helped me reduce from 95kg to 75kg. The impact was such that people began asking me if I wasn't well." In addition to yoga, he follows a strict diet to keep himself fit. The minister told TOI,  he didn't agree with Union minister Shripad Yesso Naik's statement that namaaz involves eight yogic postures and, hence, it's wrong to say yoga was un-Islamic. "There is no connection between yoga and god. Prayer is something where you communicate with god," he said. -TOI