Rohtak, June 21: Chaos ensued at an event to mark the International Yoga Day in Rohtak on Friday after people began fighting over yoga mats as soon as the programme came to an end.
The event was presided over by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar.
Thousands of yoga mats had been laid down by the government for the participants. When the event came to an end, participants scurried to grab the mats—even fighting one another over it.
Though officials tried to gather the mats, several participants managed to take them home.
“We are taking the mats with us. We want to do yoga when we get home,” said a participant.
Speaking at the event, Shah said the BJP government led by Narendra Modi had worked to promote yoga at a global level and also used it to spread the ‘rich culture’ of India in foreign countries.
He described yoga as an ambassador of the country, saying that it was connecting foreigners to the ancient art and heritage of India.
Shah was addressing the gathering at the state-level Yoga Day function held at the cattle fair ground in Rohtak.
Health Minister Anil Vij, Cooperative Minister Manish Grover, Rohtak MP Arvind Sharma and BJP state president Subhash Barala were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.
“The discussion on yoga started at the international level in 2014 when people handed over the reins of India to the BJP and Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister.
Modi introduced yoga in the international arena for the first time during the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 11, 2014. Modi termed it as ‘Indian heritage’ and exhorted all nations to adopt it for good mental and physical health,” said Shah.
Shah pointed out that Modi appealed to all nations to mark June 21 as the International Yoga Day.
Without naming anyone, Shah said there are some who pointed fingers by saying what would be gained by doing yoga for a day.
“I want to humbly tell those pointing fingers that today, on this occasion, in 200 nations crores of people who are doing yoga will help inspire millions of children, who will take a pledge to connect yoga with their lives,” he said.
Shah encouraged Khattar to form a yoga Commission to make it an “integral part” of people’s lives. He also thanked Ramdev and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for their efforts in promoting yoga internationally.
