Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay has filed a PIL in the Supreme Court seeking the appointment of ‘Yoga Mitra’ in all schools to integrate yoga and health education into the curriculum. This initiative aims to promote children’s holistic development by focusing on physical, mental, and emotional well-being across India’s educational system.
New Delhi: Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay has recently filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court of India, advocating for the appointment of ‘Yoga Mitra’ in all schools across the country. The PIL requests that state governments introduce this role to ensure children benefit from yoga and health education as part of their school curriculum. Filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, this petition highlights yoga as essential for the mental and physical growth of students, aiming to foster their well-being holistically.
Upadhyay’s PIL emphasizes the connection between Article 21 (Right to Health) and Article 21A (Right to Education), underscoring that both are vital for children’s complete development. The lack of formal health education in schools, along with the absence of trained yoga teachers, impedes the realization of these rights, argues the petition. Furthermore, Articles 39 and 47 of the Constitution obligate the state to promote children’s health and provide necessary education and supervision.
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The PIL brings attention to Section 29 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which mandates that schools cultivate the full potential of children’s physical and mental abilities. Upadhyay argues that yoga is essential for achieving these educational goals, making it necessary for schools to include it as a core subject. The petition notes that while the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 mandates ‘Health & Yoga’ as compulsory, implementation remains lacking due to the absence of standardized textbooks and trained teachers.
The petition also addresses concerns regarding yoga’s potential conflict with secularism. Citing a decision by the Appellate Court of California, which ruled yoga as secular, and similar observations by the Supreme Court of India, Upadhyay emphasizes that yoga is a scientific method promoting well-being, not a religious practice. This clarification supports the integration of yoga into school curricula as a tool for fostering physical and mental development.
In arguing for the significance of yoga, Upadhyay highlights its role in helping children develop self-discipline, positive thinking, and emotional stability. The petition asserts that yoga boosts cognitive skills, creativity, and self-awareness while nurturing self-confidence and resilience. The inclusion of Yoga Mitra in schools would provide children with valuable life skills, supporting their overall growth and preparing them for future challenges.
The PIL points to a lack of standardized materials and training for ‘Health & Yoga Science’ courses in classes from I to VIII. The central government and NCERT have not provided adequate resources, causing yoga education to be inconsistently integrated despite its compulsory status under the NCF. According to Upadhyay, introducing trained ‘Yoga Mitra’ in schools would bridge this gap, ensuring children receive structured health education that meets constitutional mandates.
The petition references Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, where he emphasized yoga as an “invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition” that unites mind and body, promoting harmony. Despite this global recognition, the petition argues, Indian schools still lack standardized and effective yoga education.
One of the PIL’s primary appeals is the appointment of trained ‘Yoga Mitra’ in schools. Upadhyay contends that yoga educators must be skilled in both yoga practice and teaching methodologies to align with the RTE Act’s goals. By appointing qualified Yoga Mitras, the state could fulfill its constitutional obligations, giving students a well-rounded education that emphasizes physical and mental well-being.
This PIL by Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay addresses a crucial gap in India’s educational approach, aiming to embed yoga into school curricula through the introduction of ‘Yoga Mitra’ roles. The PIL argues that this initiative aligns with India’s constitutional mandate to provide a balanced education, focusing on children’s holistic development.
As the Supreme Court considers this petition, its outcome could shape the future of education in India, integrating wellness-focused practices to create an environment where every child’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being is prioritized. The PIL has been filed through Adv. Ashwani Dubey, AOR, Supreme Court, marking a potential transformative step toward healthier, well-rounded educational practices.
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