Hindu Group May Challenge British Church's Yoga Ban

September 6, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Hindustan Times

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=e0605525-d629-48ac-b00a-5c0894b761e6&ParentID=5ca33b3d-997e-46c1-be06-1acaa352219a&MatchID1=4532&TeamID1=3&TeamID2=4&MatchType1=5&SeriesID1=1143&PrimaryID=4532&Headline=Hindus+to+defy+yoga+ban+in+

A Hindu organisation in Britain is planning to challenge the ban on yoga classes by two churches on the grounds that it breaches the country's Equality Act 2006.

Last week, priests at the Silver Street Baptist Church and St James' Church of England in Taunton, Somerset, had banned yoga classes for children by branding it as a "sham" and "un-Christian".

Now, the Hindu Council UK (HCUK) is actively considering challenging the ban. Lawyers of the organisation are exploring whether the comments by the churches indicate the priests acted contrary to Britain's 'Religion and Belief' section of the 2006 legislation, which makes it unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of religion or belief in the provision of goods, facilities and services, the management of premises, education and exercise of public functions.

"These priests might appear to be advising Christians not to practice yoga because they believe it is based on a 'sham' and a 'false philosophy', but what in effect they mean is that Hinduism is a false religion," said HCUK General Secretary Anil Bhanot.