PM Modi's 'nautanki' over yoga aimed at hiding his failures: Digvijay Singh

Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Wednesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was promoting yoga to cover up his failures, and accused extremist Hindus and Muslims of creating unnecessary controversy over the International Yoga Day celebrations.

"What is the need for the event? This event is being organised by Modi ji to cover up his failures...I have been doing yoga for 40 years, but I never made it an event even during my tenure as the Chief Minister. All this is 'nautanki' to hide their failures," Singh told ANI.

He further said that yoga is for everyone and should not be looked at from a religious or political point of view.

"I am not able to understand why something like yoga is being looked at from a political and religious point of view. Yoga is not linked with a religion. Several yogic postures are followed by followers of Islam during Namaz. Yoga and exercise is for everyone, it is not related to any religion. This controversy has been created by both extremist Hindus and extremist Muslims," he said.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) had earlier decided to launch a campaign against any move to make 'Surya Namaskar' and yoga compulsory in schools.

The 'Surya Namaskar' has reportedly not been included for the Yoga Day event in view of objections voiced by the Muslim groups. The AIMPLB has said that it was against their religious beliefs and should not be forced on their children.

The United Nations had last year declared June 21 as International Yoga Day.