New Delhi: Amid controversy over UGC’s directive asking universities and colleges to follow the Ayush Ministry’s yoga protocol that begins with chanting of ‘OM’, Salma Ansari, wife of Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, said that there is nothing wrong in saying ‘OM’ because body is nourished by an extra supply of oxygen.
“Nothing wrong in saying 'OM', don't you say 'Allah' or God or 'Rab'? What is the difference? All must do Yoga,” she told reporter yesterday.
“It (OM) ensures that the whole body is nourished by an extra supply of oxygen, what’s wrong in this?” she said.
When asked about the controversy related to a UGC’s proposal asking all participants to start the Yoga Day session on June 21 by chanting of ‘OM’, she said, ''Opposition to Yoga is totally wrong. Schools should also organise yoga sessions.”
Salma Ansari's comments come in the backdrop of accusations made by the Opposition, that the Centre was pushing its 'Hindutva' agenda by asking participants to chant vedic mantras during the Yoga Day event.
The chanting of 'Om' and Vedic mantras has been included in the common protocol - just as was the case last year - for celebrating International Day of Yoga on June 21, triggering a controversy similar to what was witnessed when the event was held earlier.
While the Ayush ministry clarified the protocol is not compulsory, some political parties accused the government of pushing its Hindutva agenda by asking participants to chant Vedic mantras and ' Om' before the 45-minute session.
"There is no compulsion to chant 'Om' before the yoga session. It is completely voluntary and one can remain silent. No one will object," AYUSH Ministry Joint Secretary Anil Kumar had said.
This year’s International Yoga Day celebrations to be organised by the Department of Ayush will be hosted by Chandigarh, with the Centre deciding to shift the venue from Delhi.
