The Ex-Parliamentarians Association of Nagaland (Ex-PAN) has appealed to the Nagaland government to immediately revoke a circular issued by the Department of School Education instructing school students and staff to observe and participate in the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026, citing religious concerns and the provisions of Article 371(A) of the Constitution.
In a press statement, Ex-PAN said its attention had been drawn to a government circular “issued by the Department of School Education instructing school students and staff to observe and participate in the ‘International Day of Yoga (IDY), 2026’.”
The association said it “strongly condemns this action of the Government to enforce people to observe the IDY, especially school children.”
According to Ex-PAN, “the Yoga philosophy goes against all Christian tenets, and imparting such philosophies on the people, especially on young children is unacceptable as Christians.”
While stating that it “respects all religions and upholds the very fabrics of secularism,” the association said it was “alarming that the Government has shown utter disregard to the religious sentiments of the people of the State by imposing the observance of the IDY on the people.”
Ex-PAN further maintained that while “Yoga is practiced globally as a form of physical exercise and mental wellbeing,” it remains “an individual choice to practice or not and cannot be imposed on anyone.”
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The association also invoked Article 371(A), stating that the Government of Nagaland “is responsible not only for the welfare of the citizens but also has the bounden duty to uphold and protect the religious sentiments and practices of the people enshrined under Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India.”
It argued that “being a Christian state, such insensitive decisions and directives not only goes against the faith and beliefs of the people but also raises serious concerns as to whether the Government is serious in its commitment to work in the greater interest of the people of Nagaland by upholding the provisions of Article 371(A).”
Ex-PAN therefore appealed to the government to withdraw the circular “with immediate effect.”
“It is therefore the urgent appeal of the Ex-PAN that the Government of Nagaland revokes the circular of the Department of School Education with immediate effect,” the statement said.
The association further urged the state government to communicate the concerns of the people to the Centre.
It called upon the government to “write to the Government of India expressing the peoples displeasure at the imposition of alien culture and practices and demand that the Government of India upholds the provisions of Article 371(A) in letter and in spirit.”
The statement was issued by Ex-PAN president Joshua Sumi and general secretary Tarie Zeliang.
