– Raheem Khan
Jaipur, Feb. 14: The Rajasthan High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the government’s decision to make Surya Namaskar compulsory in government schools in the state.
A single bench of Justice Mahendra Goyal dismissed the petition filed by the Rajasthan Muslim Forum (RMF), saying that the petitioner is not a registered organization. However, the Court will hear another petition filed by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) general secretary Kashif Zuberi on February 20. The government is going to organize Surya Namaskar in all schools on February 15, so the hearing on February 20 will not affect the event.
Both petitions state that the state government’s decision to make Surya Namaskar compulsory in schools is unconstitutional. It violates Article 25 of the Constitution, which gives citizens the freedom of religion. The petitioners say it should be either quashed or made optional. For, in Islam, it is not permissible to worship anyone other than Allah.
After the dismissal of the petition, RMF held a press conference, saying that the Constitution gives every citizen the right to religious freedom. And, according to the Constitution, no religious prayers or religious functions can be held in government and government-aided educational institutions.
According to Hindu religious scriptures, the sun is worshiped as a god. Surya Namaskar, its entire process and mantras are purely worship of the sun.
According to Islam, the sun is a creation of Allah. In Islam, there is a clear command to worship only one Allah, the Creator of the universe. Worship of a divine creation is called shirk (polytheism) and is considered the greatest sin. Allah has commanded not to worship the sun and the moon. Worship only Allah who is the creator of the sun and the moon. (Quran, 41:37)
According to the Quranic command, no Muslim can perform Surya Namaskar at any cost.
In a petition against the compulsory Surya Namaskar in 2015, a double bench of the Rajasthan High Court on June 29, 2015, had restrained the state government from making Surya Namaskar compulsory. The Director of Education, Bikaner has clarified that Surya Namaskar is optional.
Therefore, RMF has urged all schools, all Muslim schools, teachers of government schools who believe in monotheism, all parents and students that no one should take part in Surya Namaskar event in the light of the religious freedom given in the Constitution and the Quranic command. “Protect your faith at all costs by the right to your religious freedom,” it said.
