Recently embroiled in a controversy over an event marking the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is slated to celebrate International Yoga Day, June 21, on the campus.
A statement from the university said: “JNU will organise a yoga workshop based on standard protocol approved by the Ministry of AYUSH from June 17-20 at JNU Stadium. The International Yoga Day programme will be held on June 21. Yoga teachers and instructors will train participants during the workshop.”
The university will also organise lectures on the importance of yoga in Indian culture. Besides this, CDs and literature on yoga will also be available.
“A lecture series on themes like ‘Bhartiya Parampara Mein Yog’, ‘Yoga as Way of Life’, ‘Yoga for Harmony and Peace’ and ‘Yoga: Philosophy, Yoga for Mental and Physical Health’ by speakers and scholars will be organised on June 20, the eve of International Yoga Day,” the statement added.
MP Udit Raj will be the chief guest for the lecture series. The varsity has invited school children and JNU alumni for the event.
Earlier this year, a proposal to introduce courses on yoga and Indian culture was moved in JNU. However, it was opposed by a section of teachers and students, who called it “saffronisation of the university”. JNU is now re-considering the proposal after it was discussed in an Academic Council meeting held in May.
Proposed course
“A draft of the proposed course structure was rejected in the Academic Council meeting last year [in November]. The matter was raised again in the recent meeting held in May. There was opposition from certain teachers, while some favoured it. Ultimately it was decided to reconsider the same,” a council member said.
JNU will organise yoga workshop from June 17-20; International Yoga Day programme on June 21
