Jaipur: Controversy erupted in Rajasthan over making Surya Namaskar mandatory in schools on the occasion of Surya Saptami. The government has ordered to perform Surya Namaskar in all schools, while the Muslim community has opposed it, calling it against the Constitution and Islam and has said that Muslim children will not perform Surya Namaskar.

The education department of Rajasthan is preparing to create a world record of Surya Namaska on the occasion of Surya Saptami by making it mandatory for all the school going children.

“Surya Namaskar will be done on February 3rd in all government and private and schools of the state. During this, 1.33 crore students will try to break the world record of Surya Namaskar in 78,974 schools last year,” said education minister Madan Dilwar in a meeting of officials of the department.

Terming at an integral part of Indian culture the minister said that Surya Namaskar is part of Indian culture and tradition. By performing Surya Namaskar daily, not only the body remains healthy, but it keeps the mind calm as well.

All the students, teachers, and members of the school management committees have been asked to be a part of this 20 -minute program.

On the other hand, this decision has been strongly opposed by the Muslim community calling it unconstitutional and against the beliefs of Islam.

Addressing a press conference, Rajasthan Muslim Forum General Secretary Mohammad Nazimuddin said that by making excuses for physical exercise by the Rajasthan government, the beliefs of special culture and deeds are being imposed in educational institutions. This is an open violation of religious freedom.

Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind Rajasthan Vice President Hafiz Manjur Ali said that the Sun is worshiped in the form of God in Hindu culture. In which the actions like Pranamasan, Ashtanga Namaskar are done as prayer but is not acceptable in Islam so we oppose this decision and appeal to the government to immediately withdraw the said order. The above order of Surya Namaskar hurts the religious sentiments of people who believe in monotheism.