Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 21 : On the occasion of International Yoga Day, West Bengal's Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari criticised the state government for not participating in the nationwide celebration. He alleged that while both NDA and non-NDA ruled states observed the day, West Bengal deliberately skipped it.
Speaking to ANI, Adhikari said, "NDA and non-NDA state governments are celebrating Yoga Day today, except West Bengal, because West Bengal follows Bangladesh. It does not follow Delhi. More than 180 countries are celebrating International Yoga Day today. As Indians, we are proud of this."
The sharp remarks came as International Yoga Day was celebrated across the country, promoting the physical and mental health benefits of yoga.
Earlier on Saturday, senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said, "Yoga is our country's heritage. We have given yoga to the world. It is a very good medium to keep the body healthy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi promoted it globally, and now yoga is being practised in about 200 countries, so the credit for this goes to Narendra Modi, who revived and promoted yoga in the world again."
Meanwhile, on the occasion of International Yoga Day, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose highlighted how the practice of Yoga was earlier "confined to India," and the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to spread it internationally has led to people accepting it the world over.
As part of the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the effort to promote a healthy lifestyle while performing Yoga with others in Vishakapatnam. Meanwhile, multiple other Chief Ministers and Union Ministers are participating in Yoga events in their respective cities.
"Yoga is universal in nature. Yoga connects the mind and the body. This is something which belongs to the entire humanity. It was confined to India, but our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, took it to the whole world. Now it is for the world, and the world is accepting it," Governor Bose told ANI.