Dimapur, June 19 (MExN): The Ex-Parliamentarians Association of Nagaland (Ex-PAN) has strongly condemned a Government circular issued by the Department of School Education Nagaland directing school students and staff to observe and participate in the International Day of Yoga (IDY), 2026.
In a press statement issued on June 19, the association stated that it took “serious exception” to what it described as an attempt to enforce participation in the observance.
“The attention of the Ex-Parliamentarians Association of Nagaland is drawn to the 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 statement read.
While acknowledging that Yoga is practised globally as a form of physical exercise and mental well-being, the association stated that it should remain “an individual choice to practice or not and cannot be imposed on anyone.”
The statement further said that the Government of Nagaland has a “bounden duty to uphold and protect the religious sentiments and practices of the people enshrined under Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India,” and raised concern over what it termed “utter disregard to the religious sentiments of the people of the State”.
Describing Nagaland as a “Christian state,” the Ex-PAN said such directives raise concerns about the government’s commitment to the provisions of Article 371(A).
It urged the Government of Nagaland to revoke the circular “with immediate effect” and also to communicate the public’s concerns to the Government of India, demanding that Article 371(A) be upheld “in letter and in spirit.”
