Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, JUN 20 (NPN): Amid the ongoing debate over the observance of International Yoga Day in educational institutions across Nagaland, minister for higher education and tourism, Temjen Imna Along, on Saturday said yoga should be viewed as a form of physical exercise rather than a religious practice and stressed that participation should remain voluntary.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme at Town Hall here, Along responded to concerns raised by organisations including the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) regarding the observance of International Yoga Day.
Clarifying his position, Along said Yoga Day had not been imposed on anyone and maintained that individuals were free to decide whether or not to participate.
“It is an exercise only. If you don’t want to do it, please don’t do it. But it’s good to do it,” he said, adding that those interested could practise yoga at their convenience, either before or after attending church services on Sunday.
Addressing concerns that yoga was rooted in Hindu philosophy and could conflict with the predominantly Christian faith of the state, the minister described the issue as sensitive and cautioned against viewing it solely through a religious lens. “It is an art of life. It should be taken positively in many ways,” he said.
On the ongoing demand by the All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) for the construction of a 100-bedded girls’ hostel at Kohima Science College (Autonomous), Jotsoma, Along clarified that the project was being pursued under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding and therefore did not fall under the direct administrative control of either the state or central government.
He explained that responsibility for planning, funding and execution rested primarily with the CSR funding agency and the implementing partner, while the beneficiary institution remained only the recipient of the project. Along said the role of the government and the higher education department was largely limited to facilitating communication and conveying concerns to the agencies involved. He stated that any delay in the project could be due to coordination issues between the funding agency and the implementing partner rather than government inaction.
Emphasising the distinct framework under which CSR-funded projects operate, Along noted that the government did not have the authority to enforce timelines or make operational decisions regarding such initiatives.
On Friday, NSF urged the state government to issue a clear directive stating that participation in the International Day of Yoga observance scheduled for June 22, 2026 would be entirely voluntary.
NSF had maintained that participation in yoga-related activities should remain a matter of personal choice. The federation demanded that the government issue a clear circular stating that participation in the June 22 observance would be entirely voluntary. It also sought assurances that no educational institution would be compelled to organise or host the programme, no teacher, student or staff member would be required to participate, and no administrative action or discrimination would be taken against those choosing not to take part.
Corrigendum: Apropos news item “NSF warns against compulsory June 22 Yoga Day participation”, published on June 20, the name of NSF president should be read as Mteisuding and not as published. The inadvertent error is regretted.