Supreme Court dismisses plea on making yoga compulsory in schools
The petition had said the government was required to promote and propagate yoga and health education?in order to secure the right to health for its citizens
The Supreme Court today (August 8) dismissed a petition for the framing of a national yoga policy and for making the practice compulsory for students of classes one to eight across the country.
A bench headed by Justice MB Lokur dismissed the plea on the ground that it was the government who should take a decision on such issues.
"We are nobody to say what is to be taught in schools. It is none of our business. How can we direct that", the bench said.
The apex court added thatit was not possible for it to grant the relief. "What is to be taught in schools is not a fundamental right," the top court said.
On November 8, 2016, the Supreme court had asked the government to take a decision on the matter considering the plea as a representation.
The petition stressed the importance of a nationalpolicy on yoga, stating thatthe government is required to promote and propagate yoga and health educationin order to secure the right to health for its citizens.
The pleasaid, "The State has an obligation to provide health facilities to all the citizens, especially to children and adolescents. In a welfare state, it is an obligation of the State to ensure the creation and sustenance of conditions congenial to good health."
The petition was filed byAshwini Kumar Upadhyay, a lawyer and Delhi BJP spokesperson and JC Seth asking MHRD,NCERT, NCTE, and CBSE to provide standard textbooks of "yoga and health education"for students of Classes one to eight.