International Yoga Day: Honoring its Hindu roots

India Association of Minnesota skips Yoga Day again

June 21, the summer solstice and the longest day of the year, is celebrated across the world as International Yoga Day (IYD). This global observance is not only a celebration of wellness but also a tribute to the ancient spiritual science of Yoga, rooted in Sanatan Dharma (or Hinduism). Here in Minnesota, about 100 Sanatanis gathered to mark the occasion with a collective practice of yoga and cultural recognition.

Yet, one absence stood out: the India Association of Minnesota (IAM)—a five-decade-old organization that bears the country’s name—chose not to co-sponsor or participate. This is not a one-off oversight but reflects a troubling pattern. In recent years, IAM has distanced itself from initiatives that spotlight India’s cultural or spiritual heritage. Its ambition for outreach to “South Asia” seems increasingly to come at the cost of Indian identity.

This disengagement mirrors earlier controversies, such as an IAM poster for India Fest that conspicuously excluded any symbols of Hindu culture while including other religious symbols[1]. Though eventually corrected, the message was clear: IAM avoids aligning with expressions of India that highlight its civilizational core—Hinduism.

Yoga: A gift from Sanatan Dharma to the world

There is no serious scholarly debate that Yoga originated in ancient Bharat (India), as an integral part of Hindu philosophy. The practice, as outlined in the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, is far more than physical exercise—it is a spiritual path toward liberation (moksha). The four yogic paths—Bhakti (devotion), Jnana (knowledge), Karma (selfless action), and Raja (meditation)—form the foundation of this tradition.

And yet, Yoga is offered freely to the world, with no demand for acknowledgment or royalty. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted during the UN declaration of IYD in 2014, Yoga is a “gift of ancient Indian tradition,” meant for the well-being of all humanity.

Even in its secularized modern form, yoga continues to benefit millions. CorePower Yoga CEO Niki Leondakis, quoted in Forbes, explains: “Yoga provides clarity, strength, and the tools to navigate life’s challenges.” The practice is now a $215 billion global industry, including 300 million practitioners worldwide. None of this growth would be possible without India and Hinduism, laying the foundation for Yoga.

Rutgers report: A politicized attack on Yoga’s roots

Despite these truths, efforts to disconnect Yoga from its Hindu roots continue, most recently in a report published by Rutgers University’s Center for Security, Race and Rights (CSRR)[2]. The report, under Professor Sahar Aziz, is overtly hostile to Indian and Hindu identity. It baselessly accuses Yoga Day of being part of an “ethno-nationalist” agenda, claiming that PM Modi founded IYD to promote “state violence in the form of Hindutva.”

One reference in the report, a yoga practitioner, absurdly suggests that Yoga is being weaponized for ideological purposes. Another falsely argues that Hindu organizations are misleading the public by claiming Yoga as exclusively Hindu, despite its well-documented roots.

The report specifically targets US-based Hindu organizations such as CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America), HSS (Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh), and Hindu YUVA—all of whom helped sponsor Minnesota’s IYD event, alongside Milan Mandir, Vishnu Mandir, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). These groups are unfairly portrayed in the report as part of a so-called “Hindutva” network, which is rightfully preserving, promoting, and celebrating Hinduism and Hindutva.

Ironically, those who benefit from the wellness industry that yoga has created, whether in health clubs or studios, are often the same voices trying to erase its cultural source.

The local disconnect

Equally surprising is the Hindu Society of Minnesota’s (HSMN) decision to hold a separate IYD event on June 14, rather than collaborating with the broader community on June 21. In a time when unity is critical, fragmentation weakens the voice of Indian Americans, especially Hindus, who form the majority. It is imperative that organizations like HSMN and IAM, with their resources and legacy, lead efforts to come together rather than divide.

Yoga means union—Let that be reflected in our community

The very meaning of the word Yoga is “to join” or “to unite.” It is a practice of inner harmony and cosmic alignment. In the Hindu worldview, it seeks the union of the self (atman) with the divine (Brahman), aiming for liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Yet today, we see the opposite- division, politicization, and cultural erasure. Left-leaning academics, some of whom claim to be scholars, seem to lack the lived understanding of the very traditions they critique. They dismiss yoga’s sacred roots while profiting from its popularity.

A call to reclaim Hindu roots and reunite

Yoga Day is not a partisan event, nor a platform for exclusion. It is a celebration of wellness, unity, Hindu roots, and spiritual depth. It is also a reminder that India’s civilizational contributions—from Ayurveda to Vedanta to Yoga—are offerings to humanity, not ideological tools.

It’s time for Indian American organizations—especially those bearing India’s and/ or Hindu name—to stop shying away from that truth. And it’s time for scholars and institutions, such as Rutgers, to stop distorting facts under the pretext of academic inquiry. Let 2025 Yoga Day truly be a force of unity—in spirit, practice, and the larger community.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
3. The author acknowledges the use of ChatGPT in improving the content of this article and adding research as needed.

Reference:

[1] The Indian diaspora and India Association of Minnesota: A duty to stand with India, not against It – Jun 08, 2025, PGurus.com

[2 Rutgers University Part 1: A nexus for anti-Hindu and anti-India narratives – Jun 18, 2025, New India Abroad

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