SC reserves order on inclusion of yoga in schools

The Supreme Court on Friday expressed reservations to the proposal to issue directions for introduction of yoga in schools, anticipating objections from some sections of the society.

A bench of Justices H L Dattu and M Y Eqbal put a poser saying certain minority institutions may have reservations against it.

“What kind of directions we may pass when these institutions may ask us why are you asking our wards to practice yoga when we don’t want them to practice Pranayama or Shirshasana,” the bench said.

“We understand its relevance but can we say yoga is a must? Suppose children from an institution tell us we don’t want it, what do we do? What if minority institutions assert their own set of rights and question our orders,” the bench asked.

The court was hearing a petition seeking direction for inclusion of yoga as a subject in schools in conformity with the National Curriculum Framework 2005.
J C Seth and others filed the petition challenging a Delhi High Court judgment of September 22, 2009. The HC refused to pass any direction to the Centre or to the National Council for Educational, Research and Training to incorporate yoga in the curriculum.
In their plea, they sought directions to develop curriculum, syllabus courses and text books for the study of yoga from Class I to Class VIII, in terms of Section 29 of the Right To Education Act.
Agreeing to hear their plea, the bench did not to pass any order at once but opined that it should be voluntary.
Health point
Senior advocate M N Krishnamani, appearing for the petitioners contended that yoga was for better physical and mental health of everyone and one must not get affected by its nomenclature.
The counsel sought time to come up with sound arguments on the issue.
The court, allowing his plea, posted the matter for further hearing on December 3.
According to the petitioners, the National Curriculum Framework 2005 envisaged some paradigm shifts in the education system with an aim to reorient educational system with a view to remove learning burden from children.
The National Curriculum Framework-2005, which is a researched based document approved by the Central Advisory Board of Education, the highest advisory body to the Centre and State governments in the field of education, has recommended yoga to be introduced from the primary level in informal ways and formal introduction of yogic exercises from class VI onwards, they added.