Thiruvananthapuram: The yoga events organised by CPM in association with the Indian Martial Arts Academy was part of the party’s strategy to counter the BJP's attempt to appropriate the International Yoga Day. The CPM is keen to counter any attempt by the Sangh Parivar to spread its influence by exploiting traditions like yoga.
Though the Prime Minister and the BJP have denied attempts to communalise or politicise the International Yoga Day, the Marxist are not ready to believe them. CPM sources said the mega Yoga events organised by the party had helped them to mobilise not only its cadre but also sympathisers and fellow travellers form various walks of life.
The party believes this is one way of checking BJP and Sangh Parivar efforts in the state to exploit religious sentiments of people for vested political interest. It does not want the BJP-led Government at the Centre to walk away with all the credit for preserving and popularising Yoga. The CPM had also given a call to its cadre to participate in all religious function in a big way to prevent communal and fundamentalist organisations from hijacking such festivals.
