Namaz Similar to Surya Namaskar; UP Will Have Ramrajya: Adityanath

“Surya Namaskar is similar to namaz done by Muslim brothers but nobody ever tried to bring them together,” he said

Yogi Adityanath. (Photo: IANS)

Offering namaz is similar to Surya Namaskar, Uttar Pradesh’s newly anointed Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, said on Wednesday in his first controversial remark after taking over the reins of government in the state.

The Financial Express quoted Adityanath as saying:

All <i>asanas</i> (postures) in Surya Namaskar<i>, pranayama</i> are similar to the <i>namaz</i> done by our Muslim brothers. But nobody ever tried to bring them together because a few people were interested only in ‘bhoga’ (benefits), not yoga.

Speaking at an event on the benefits of yoga at the Yoga Mahotsav in Lucknow on Wednesday, Adityanath also asserted that there will be ‘Ramrajya’ in Uttar Pradesh.

Shedding light on his appointment as CM, he said BJP Chief Amit Shah suddenly called him to ask whether he'd like to become the UP CM the next day.

Adityanath also praised PM Narendra Modi for "making Yoga universal".