Mangaluru : Health Minister U.T. Khader decreed attempts to brand Yoga to a particular religion.

“It is a form of exercise that is good for health. We should propagate this as it is beneficial for people,” he said.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, Mr. Khader said Yoga was a traditional form of treatment, passed on to us through generations and accepted globally. “What cannot be cured by medicine can be cured by following Yoga,” he said. Mr. Khader said religious colour should not be brought either in Medicine or Education.

Mr. Khader said people are free either to practice Yoga or not. “But doing Yoga does improve your health,” the Minister said citing his own example. “I have reduced my weight from 95 kg to 75 kg by doing yoga, walking and following strict diet,” Mr. Khader said.

Mr. Khader said on June 21 that a programme on Yoga will be held and inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who practices Yoga as well.