Namaz similar to Surya Namaskar, many similarities in posture, says Yogi Adityanath

On the day he took over as the 21st Chief Minister of the most populous state of the country, the nameplate of the firebrand BJP leader read "Adityanath Yogi". Photo: PTI

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister MP Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said he had only a pair of clothes when he was elected the BJP legislature party leader and asked to lead the state. Aditynath was addressing a gathering on the inaugural day of the three-day UP Yoga Mahotsava here. What Yogi Adtiyanath said:

• I had only a set of clothes when Amit Shah ji told me that I will be taking oath as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. I was surprised and didn't know what to say. I thought, if I deny people would say I am running away.
• People don't even provide alms to saints but my party has offered me entire Uttar Pradesh, saffron-robed BJP ledaer said.
• I have been in Uttar Pradesh and travelled across the state. I began my journey from its streets and reached Parliament.
• All asanas (postures) in surya namaskar, pranayama activities are similar to the way Namaz is offered by our Muslim brothers. But nobody ever tried to bring them together because few people were interested only in 'bhoga' not yoga, he said.
• Those who have divided the society, they cannot believe in 'Yoga' and bringing people together.

Aditynath had come out full throttle in support of surya namaskar after a controversy erupted over the inclusion of the exercise in the government's yoga protocol with a section of Muslims saying that their faith does not allow them to practise it. He had then said that those who see communalism in even Sun God should drown themselves in the sea or live in a dark room for the rest of their lives. Adityanath, a Hindutva mascot, has pledged after taking charge as Chief Minister that there will not be any discrimination on the basis of religion. Showering praise on the Prime Minister for making yoga a global phenomenon, Adityanath said, "Modi deserves all the credit for the global recognition which yoga has got" and referred to the UN declaring International Yoga Day on June 21.