Yoga common to all faiths, says PMK

BJP ally PMK today called for popularising Yoga by including it in schools, but voiced concern over attempts to confine it to a particular faith, insisting that it was common to all.

Party's Youth Wing Leader and Dharmapuri MP Anbumani Ramadoss said that yoga comes with a lot of physical and mental health benefits, adding that observing tomorrow (June 21) as the International Day of Yoga was a matter of joy.

"At the same time, attempts to create an impression that it belongs to a particular religion (Hindu) are condemnable. Yoga is common to all countries, faiths and races. Its speciality should not be destroyed by confining it to a small circle," he said in a statement.

Having roots in India, Yoga had spread across 175 nations, he said, adding, he had taken a lot of steps to promote Yoga, including conducting camps, while he was Union Minister for Health in the UPA-I regime.

He demanded that Yoga be taught in schools across the country.