BJP's minority cell to organise Yoga Day celebrations in unrecognised madrassas; SP MP opposes
Lucknow/Sambhal (UP), Jun 13: The Uttar Pradesh BJP's minority cell on Tuesday said it would organise Yoga Day celebrations in hundreds of unrecognised madrassas in the state on International Yoga Day on June 21.
"The workers of the party's minority cell will hold Yoga Day celebrations in around 900 madrasas (in the state) using their personal contacts," Kunwar Basit Ali, head of UP BJP's minority cell, told PTI.
To a query, Ali said he was referring to unrecognised madrassas.
However, Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal Shafiqur Rahman Barq has opposed the move, alleging that the BJP government wants that the "madrassas should not function so that Muslim children do not get religious education".
Speaking to reporters in Sambhal, Barq said, "Yoga is a good thing and not a bad thing. Every person can do Yoga in their homes. What is the meaning of (celebrating) Yoga Day (in madrassas)?
"Madrassas are not part of this (Yoga Day events), but are meant to impart religious education... 'Taleem Divas' (education day) should be celebrated in the madrassas," he said.
Barq said there used to be "wrestling arenas earlier where the wrestlers used to go to do exercise."
Various Muslim bodies in the past have opposed the Yoga Day celebrations, saying that the reciting of 'shlokas' during Yoga interferes with core beliefs of Islam.
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Rahul Gandhi to go on two-day Raebareli visit from May 19
Raebareli (UP) (PTI): Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Raebareli Rahul Gandhi will arrive here on May 19 on a two-day visit, a Congress office-bearer said on Monday.
Congress district president of Raebareli Pankaj Tiwari said that on the first day, Gandhi will inaugurate a marriage hall at Thakurain Kheda in Bachhrawan. Subsequently, he will address a public meeting in Khiron. In Lalganj, he will participate in a 'mahila samvaad' programme.
He further said that on May 20, he will meet the public during a 'Janata Darshan' programme at the Bhuyemau Guest House. Following this, he will participate in the unveiling of a statue of Veera Pasi and attend a public meeting in Lodhwari.
He will then depart for Amethi.
In Amethi, Gandhi will hold meetings with party functionaries, workers and senior leaders at the party's district headquarters, Congress district unit chief Pradeep Singhal said on Sunday.
According to political observers, this meeting would form a part of the strategic preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, alongside an organisational review.
Discussions during the meeting are likely to focus on strengthening the party organisation down to the booth level, increasing participation of youth and women workers, and accelerating public outreach campaigns across villages.
According to sources, a large number of party workers -- from Gram Sabha to the district level -- have been invited to attend the meeting.
Gandhi is expected to interact directly with workers.
During the one-day visit, the Congress leader will also travel to Poore Ramdeen Pandit -- the native village of late Congress district president Yogendra Mishra -- to meet his family members.
Mishra, considered a close associate of the Gandhi family, passed away on March 1 following a prolonged illness.
Political activities in the district have intensified ahead of Gandhi's visit, and party workers have already started making arrangements for his reception.
Kishori Lal Sharma, the Congress MP from Amethi, is also holding regular meetings with local leaders and functionaries to review the preparations.
