Goa's Catholic legislators and representatives of minority educational institutions could raise the issue of compulsory yoga in the state's schools on the occasion of World Yoga day on June 21.
After a meeting of all Catholic MLAs and officials of the Roman Catholic Church-operated Diocesan Society of Education, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Calangute assembly constituency Michael Lobo told reporters on Wednesday that instead of making yoga compulsory, the decision should be left to individual school managements and parents.
"The MLAs are not taken into confidence. We would have to discuss about this... The discussion may take place tomorrow (Thursday), if the Diocesan Society of Education (DSE) takes it up (with the chief minister)," Lobo said.
Lobo, along with nearly a dozen Catholic legislators across party lines, met DSE secretary Fr. Zeferino D'Souza over a host of issues related to minority educational institutions in the state, specifically about the BJP-led coalition government's refusal to give requisite permissions to start four new higher secondary schools built by the Society.
The Catholic lawmakers from the BJP, Congress, Goa Vikas Party and even Independent minority legislators along with DSE officials are scheduled to meet the chief minister on Thursday where the issue of compulsory yoga is also expected to be discussed, Lobo said.
"Ideally, the individual school managements and parents should decide... but we will take up the issue with the chief minister," Lobo said.
June 21 has been declared as the World Yoga day and compulsory yoga is expected to be conducted across the country.
