BJP To Hold Yoga Day Programmes In Madrasas And Dargahs Across Uttar Pradesh

UP BJP plans to conduct yoga sessions in madrasas and dargahs on International Yoga Day, held on 21 June, to connect better with the Muslim community.

Over 900 places across the state, including madrasas and dargahs, will celebrate Yoga Day, as declared by the minority wing of the party.

The BJP also plans to hold Yoga Day events at every shakti kendra unit in each Lok Sabha constituency as part of their preparations for the Lok Sabha election, during the month-long public outreach campaign in the state.

Party leaders will strive to encourage students, teachers, and followers to take part in the Yoga Day programme by visiting madrasas and dargahs, according to Kunwar Basit Ali, the state unit president of BJP’s minority wing.

Furthermore, to ensure a comfortable yoga experience, the party plans to organise events in dargahs that have available open spaces and surrounding boundary walls.

The party will provide instructors, yoga mats, and finalise a list of places for the programme by 15 June.

Ali explained the reason for choosing dargahs and madrasas as venues: these places are frequently visited by young students and devout followers, respectively.

Despite the practice of yoga in some Muslim countries, many Indian Muslims still maintain a distance from it due to religious associations and political implications.

Ali hopes that this programme will raise awareness among them that yoga is beneficial for everyone's well-being, regardless of their religious beliefs or political ideologies.

According to sources who spoke to the Indian Express, the intention of the programme is also to bridge the gap between Muslims and the BJP by having members of the BJP minority wing engage with students in madrasas and followers of the dargah.

Along with informing them about the government's accomplishments, they will highlight how Muslims have received benefits from all government schemes equally, without any discrimination.

"This programme will bring Muslims closer to the BJP,” said a party leader who spoke to the newspaper.