On the occasion of the 11th International Day of Yoga, Delhi witnessed widespread participation on Saturday as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, her Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, Member of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) and senior BJP leaders performed yoga at various iconic locations across the city.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday performed yoga on the banks of the Yamuna River in northeast Delhi’s Sonia Vihar on the occasion of International Day of Yoga (IDY). Across 11 locations in the national Capital, ministers, MLAs and BJP MPs joined the celebrations. Gupta was joined by BJP MP Manoj Tiwari and her Cabinet minister Kapil Mishra in Sonia Vihar.

On the choice of the venue, the CM said they wanted to show people that the cleaning work of the river is underway. “Yamuna River is the symbol of our faith but the previous Governments have ignored it. They did not work to clean it. But in the four months that we have been in power, we have worked to clean it,” she said.

“People ask me, where will the cruise run? I want to tell them, the cruise will run on this river where students performed yoga today on boats,” she added. Hitting out at the AAP dispensation, she said they associated yoga with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and did not celebrate the occasion.

“If they associate yoga with Prime Minister Modi, what can we do? Tomorrow, he might leave his food if he sees the PM’s association with it. After seeing the BJP government in Delhi, he left the national Capital,” she charged.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva joined National General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santosh and other senior central BJP leaders at the event held at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Park. BJP MPs, MLAs, Councillors and party workers from state, district and mandal levels took part in various party and Government-organised programs across the city.

On this occasion, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva stated that “Yoga is India’s ancient discipline that contributes to both health and character-building. Practicing yoga regularly helps develop self-confidence and self-control in our lives.” He further informed that Yoga Day programs were organised in all 256 mandals of Delhi BJP, with MPs, MLAs and committee chairpersons taking active part.

Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra participated in the Yoga Day event held at Humayun’s Tomb complex, where he practiced yoga and shared, “For more than 20 years, my day has started with yoga and that’s what brings discipline to my life.”

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari attended the Yoga Day event at Wazirabad. MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, joined the Yoga Day program at the Parliament complex. MP Praveen Khandelwal, who took part in the Brahm Kumaris Sansthan Yoga Day event at the Red Fort ground. MP Yogendra Chandolia, who performed yoga at the Prahladpur Sports Complex.

West Delhi MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat, currently on a visit to Mangalore with the Government Standing Committee team, also participated in Yoga Day celebrations along with fellow MPs and listened to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address on the occasion.

Delhi Assembly speaker Vijender Gupta participated in a special yoga session held at Lodhi Garden. The session was organised by the Ministry of Ayush to promote wellness, mindfulness, and the spirit of unity through yoga. The Speaker extended warm wishes to all citizens on this global celebration of India’s ancient heritage, stating that yoga is a gift of the sages that continues to empower humanity by fostering holistic health. Later addressing an event on International Yoga Day celebration organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), he described yoga as a powerful tool for cultivating mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual resilience — elements essential for professionals, especially Chartered Accountants who navigate intense demands and complex responsibilities.

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said that for the first time, the city government has officially celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. “The 11th International Yoga Day was marked simultaneously at 11 locations, with more than 20,000 yoga practitioners taking part in the events. Yoga Day was also observed on a large scale in colleges, and nearly 10,000 yoga enthusiasts gathered at Chhatrasal Stadium today,” he added.

Public Works Department and Water Minister Parvesh Verma performed yoga at Thyagaraja Stadium. In a post on X he said, “Heartiest greetings to all the countrymen on International Day of Yoga. Today I got the opportunity to do yoga with practitioners at Thyagaraja Stadium.”

“This is not just a yoga session, but is a living proof of India’s cultural heritage and the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ established in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji. Today the whole world is connecting with the ancient tradition of India through yoga,” he added.

Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh performed yoga at Deen Dayal Upadhayay Park along with hundreds of local residents and health officials. The programme was held under the aegis of the Directorate of AYUSH in collaboration with the Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College and Hospital, Delhi Government. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa led the celebration at the Hockey Ground in Ashok Nagar, performing yoga with local residents, youth groups and senior citizens.