Organizations cite religious concerns over June 21 observance
Opposition to the Directorate of School Education’s directive for educational institutions across Nagaland to observe the International Day of Yoga on June 21 continued to widen on Thursday, with the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF), Ongpangkong Students’ Conference (OKM), Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) and the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) joining calls for the withdrawal of the circular.
The organizations have raised concerns over the observance being scheduled on a Sunday, arguing that the day holds religious significance for Christians and should remain devoted to worship and fellowship.
In a statement, the NSF expressed its “grave resentment and unequivocal opposition” to the circular, stating that directing educational institutions to observe International Day of Yoga on a Sunday was “a blatant disregard for the religious sentiments and spiritual convictions of the Naga people.”
“Sunday occupies a sacred place in the Christian faith and is devoted to worship, prayer and fellowship,” the federation stated, adding that institutionalizing such activities on the day violated the religious freedom guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution.
The NSF called upon the Directorate of School Education and the Government of Nagaland to immediately withdraw the notification and cautioned against any attempt to enforce or coerce compliance.
“The Federation further warns all authorities, school administrations, and individuals against exerting any pressure, intimidation, or undue influence upon teachers, students, or educational institutions to participate in the said observance. Such act shall be considered a violation of the rights and freedoms guaranteed to the people and shall invite appropriate democratic resistance,” it stated.
The federation also directed all its federating units and subordinate bodies to remain vigilant and ensure that no such activities are imposed or carried out in educational institutions.
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The ENSF also voiced concern over the notification, stating that while it acknowledged the importance of physical fitness and healthy living, compulsory observance of Yoga Day in schools was “not in consonance with the indigenous traditions, customs, and cultural practices of the Naga people.”
The federation further maintained that the directive infringed upon the freedom of religion guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution. It announced that it “censures and proclaims invalidation” of the notification within the eastern region and directed its federating units to abstain from participating in any activities related to the observance and report schools conducting the event.
The OKM likewise objected to the circular, stating that Sunday holds “immense spiritual significance” for Christians and is observed as a sacred day of worship, rest and family fellowship.
The conference said enforcing directives requiring maximum participation of students and faculty in official programmes on the day “deeply wounds our religious sentiments.” It expressed solidarity with the Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), which had earlier demanded withdrawal of the circular, and urged the authorities to revoke the directive immediately.
The OKM further warned that failure to address the issue could result in widespread public resentment and democratic agitation.
Joining the opposition, the Central Nagaland Tribes Council questioned “the wisdom and sensitivity” of scheduling the program on a Sunday in a predominantly Christian state.
While appreciating initiatives aimed at promoting physical health and well-being, the council stated that the issue was not merely about the observance of a single programme but concerned “the implications of a public authority organizing and encouraging participation in an activity on a day that holds profound religious significance for the overwhelming majority of the people of Nagaland.”
According to the CNTC, the decision had generated public concern and raised legitimate questions about whether adequate consideration had been given to the religious sentiments and convictions of the people.
The council urged the department to immediately revoke the circular and reconsider the scheduling of the program, stating that such a step would reaffirm the department’s commitment to respecting the beliefs of the people and preserving mutual trust between public institutions and society.
“Failure to review the matter may give rise to widespread public dissatisfaction and avoidable tensions,” the council stated, adding that it reserved the right to pursue appropriate democratic and constitutional avenues should public concerns continue to go unaddressed.
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The NPCC also strongly condemned the circular, stating that while it respected the freedom of individuals to practice yoga voluntarily, it objected to what it described as an attempt to institutionalize and impose such programmes without due regard for the religious, cultural and social identity of the people of Nagaland.
The party alleged that the circular reflected a growing tendency of the BJP-led Government at the Centre to push a “one-size-fits-all cultural agenda” across the country while disregarding India’s diversity.
The NPCC noted that this year’s International Day of Yoga falls on a Sunday, which it described as the most sacred day of worship for Christians, and also coincides with Father’s Day.
It further argued that requiring schools to conduct yoga programs, ensure maximum participation and submit GPS-tagged photographic reports created unnecessary pressure on educational institutions and demonstrated a lack of sensitivity towards the sentiments of the Naga people.
The party called upon the Government of Nagaland to review the directive and ensure that no educational institution, teacher or student is compelled, directly or indirectly, to participate in activities that may conflict with their religious beliefs or important community observances.
The latest statements add to the growing opposition against the Education Department’s directive requiring schools to observe the International Day of Yoga on June 21 and submit action taken reports.
