Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: The world observed the International Yoga Day on Thursday. Mizoram gave it a miss. Official sources told The New Indian Express that there is no practice of celebrating the International Yoga Day in Mizoram as it is a Christian-majority state.

Last year, the day was observed as "Healthy Mizoram Campaign". Church organisations in the state view yoga as "not compatible with Mizos and Christian belief".

Two years ago, the influential Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee, which is a conglomerate of 15 major churches, had boycotted the celebration saying yoga is "dipped in Hinduism". Ever since then, the Yoga Day is a low-key affair in the state.

Official sources said the only official function on Thursday was organised at the Assam Rifles ground in state capital Aizawl.

It was learnt that no ministers or MLAs attended it. Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla was said to be busy with the marriage of his grandson. Last year, after inaugurating the programme at the Assam Rifles ground, the then Governor Lt Gen (retired) Nirbhay Sharma said: "Some believe that yoga is a religious activity impinging on other faiths. It must be clearly understood that yoga does not adhere to any particular religion, belief system or community".

This year, incumbent Governor, Kummanam Rajasekharan, did not take part in the celebration as he was away in Delhi, Raj Bhavan sources said. "Ours is a Christian state. We cannot accept yoga because we thought it is a part of Hinduism. We refuse the imposition to practise yoga and we will keep opposing its celebration in the state," said Vanlalruata, president of anti-corruption organisation-turned-political party, People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram.