New Delhi: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Praveen Togadia has said that Muslims using word 'Allah' during yoga is an insult to Hindus.
"The use of word Allah during yoga would be an insult to Lord Shiva. The utterance of words 'Om' and the practice of surya namaskar are integral to yoga and hold supreme importance. Those who are allergic to 'Om' and surya namaskar should live with diseases," he said yesterday.
The firebrand leader's remark came at a time when no prominent Muslim organisation has forwarded the theory of using word 'Allah' during yoga.
He also said that yoga is a form of exercise and it keeps people away from diseases.
Some Muslim clerics have opposed the government's celebrations on June 21 to mark International Yoga Day and demanded removal of some specific asana from it.
The UN General Assembly had last year overwhelmingly adopted a draft resolution, declaring June 21 as International Yoga Day. A record 177 countries had co-sponsored the resolution.
The idea for declaring an International Day of Yoga at the United Nations was formally proposed by Prime Minister Modi in his maiden address to the 69th General Assembly session in September last year.
