International Yoga Day: BJP, Congress trade jabs; Tharoor lauds PM
What's the story
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic event at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters on International Yoga Day, the Congress mocked him, crediting India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru for popularizing yoga. In response, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took a dig at Rahul Gandhi by sharing his 2019 tweet that allegedly mocked yoga. However, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor acknowledged the PM for reviving yoga internationally.
Context
Why does this story matter?
This comes as PM Modi prepares to lead the ninth International Yoga Day festivities at the United Nations. The Yoga Day event will take place on the North Lawn of the UN Headquarters in New York City. This year's theme is "Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," which aims to spread the message of unity and peace.
Details
Congress mocks PM Modi, credits Nehru for popularizing yoga
The Congress on Wednesday shared Nehru's picture doing sirsasana (headstand) and credited him for "popularizing yoga" and making it a "part of national policy." "Let us appreciate the importance of the ancient art and philosophy in our physical and mental well-being and take steps to incorporate in our lives," it tweeted. Congress also mocked PM Modi by posting a picture of him captioned "camerasana."
Twitter Post
'Camerasana': Congress jab at PM Modi ahead of UN event
कैमरासन 📸 pic.twitter.com/SSkZyYRRuK
— Congress (@INCIndia) June 21, 2023
Reaction
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla's dig at Gandhi
Meanwhile, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla dug out Gandhi's 2019 tweet comparing Indian Army soldiers with Army dogs—both doing yoga in a photo that Gandhi had captioned "New India." Terming it objectionable, Poonawalla wrote, "From mocking yoga (tweet by Rahul Gandhi) to now the Congress trying to steal credit for the first family. It seems the Congress party has come a full circle."
Twitter Post
What Poonawalla shared on Twitter
From mocking Yoga ( tweet by Rahul Gandhi) to now the Congress trying to steal credit for the first family
— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) June 21, 2023
It seems the Congress party has come a full circle
At the very least they could thank India & Indians whose efforts led to its recognition on a global platform since… pic.twitter.com/QonCVsQe1J
Shashi Tharoor
Tharoor thanks PMO, MEA on Yoga Day
On the other hand, Tharoor retweeted the Congress's Nehru headstand photo and said the government, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) should also be credited for popularizing yoga. "Indeed! We should also acknowledge all those who revived & popularised yoga, including our government, @PMOIndia & @MEAIndia, for internationalizing #InternationalYogaDay through the @UN," he wrote.