Archive · 18 Dec 2025
RSS Leader Suggests Muslims Perform Surya Namaskar
A senior leader of the RSS, Dattatreya Hosabale, suggested that Muslims in India should perform Surya Namaskar, a sequence of yoga poses, and worship rivers and the Sun.
He said this is for environmental and health reasons and that it doesn't mean Muslims can't go to the mosque.
He also said the Hindu religion is supreme and teaches non-violence towards all living beings and nature.
Some people think this means the Hindu religion is being presented as a standard for everyone to follow.
There was also a debate about the words 'secular' and 'socialist' in the Constitution, with the opposition criticizing the RSS for wanting to change it.
RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale suggested Muslims perform Surya Namaskar for environmental and health reasons.
He stated that the Hindu religion is supreme and teaches non-violence towards all living beings and nature.
Hosabale clarified that performing Surya Namaskar does not prevent Muslims from going to the mosque.
The comments were seen as reframing Hindu practices as common sense, linked to culture and health.
Opposition figures like Rahul Gandhi criticized the RSS for wanting to change the secular and socialist values in the Constitution.
- Who
- Dattatreya Hosabale, senior RSS leader
- What
- Suggested Muslims perform Surya Namaskar and worship rivers and the Sun
- When
- Tuesday (unspecified date)
- Where
- Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh
- Why
- For environmental and health reasons, and to prioritize 'human religion'
- Speaker
- Dattatreya Hosabale, senior RSS leader
- Event Location
- Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh
- Event Date
- Tuesday (unspecified date)
- Practice Mentioned
- Surya Namaskar (yoga sequence)
- Key Statement
- Hindu religion is supreme
- Attendees
- Lawmakers from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party
- Opposition Response
- Rahul Gandhi criticized RSS on secularism
- Previous Controversy
- Debate on 'secular' and 'socialist' in Constitution