'Yoga is for lazy people,' says Karnataka minister

In remarks that are out of sync with his own government's position, Karnataka Social Welfare Minister Anjanaiah on Wednesday said yoga is for 'lazy' people who do not have time for exercise.

“Yoga is for lazy people, especially people belonging to well to do families. They do not have time for exercise in the open including taking a walk,” he told reporters in Bengaluru.

On the contrary, people who work in the fields and sweat it out do not require yoga, the minister said, even as the Congress government in the state is joining the rest of the country in observing June 21 as International Day of Yoga.

Anjanaiah said more than anything else people should encourage their children to play outdoor games including running and walking, instead of practising yoga.

“People should ask their children to indulge themselves in playing outdoor sports including running and long walks instead of yoga,” he said.

Launching a tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the minister said he should not indulge in yoga and spend time in running the country.

“The PM should not profess or indulge in yoga because his time is precious and instead he should spend time on running the country, which is his duty,” he said.

The minister said there are yoga gurus and experts to impart yoga.

Image: Karnataka Social Welfare Minister Anjanaiah. Photograph: karnatakavarthe.org