UGC requests higher ed institutions to participate in Surya Namaskar function

New Delhi: As part of the government's Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration, the University Grants Commission has requested higher education institutions to participate in a massive Surya Namaskar programme on Republic Day that will be executed by the National Sports Federation of India.

"To commemorate the Amrit Mohostav, the federation decided to run a project of 750 million Surya Namaskar in 30 states, involving 30,000 institutes and 3 lakh students, from January 1 to February 7 and performing musical Surya Namaskar in front of Tricolour on 26th January... all the higher education institutions and affiliated colleges are requested to participate in the event," the Commission said in a notification.

The decision to mandate practice of Surya Namaskar in colleges has turned controversial with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board deeming Surya Namaskar as "unconstitutional" and violation of secularism as it is a form of "Surya Puja" and therefore not permitted in Islam. The notification issued by the UGC for the 75 Crore Surya Namaskar is in honour of 75 years of Indian independence. Students in higher education institutions were requested to participate in the project from January 1 to February 7.

The National Yogasana Sport Federation has planned to hold a musical Surya Namaskar project in front of the tricolour on Republic Day.

Programmes in colleges and universities can be held both online and offline, keeping in mind the Covid-19 pandemic and there should be emphasis on hosting plays, debates and inculcating the history of India and its heroes and gallantry awards, another notification said.

"All higher education institutions and their affiliated colleges are requested to follow SoPs as formulated by the Ministry of Defence in order to inculcate our best practices all across the nation while celebrating the forthcoming Republic Day celebration and thereafter," the Commission said.