The Bengal government has issued an order making it compulsory for all state -government employees to take part in Yoga Day celebrations on Sunday, 21 June, 2026, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. Participation can be at Red Road, Milan Mela, government offices, or even from home, but attendance is mandatory. The rule applies to permanent staff, contractual workers, part time and daily wage employees, outsourced personnel, and those on honorarium. Department heads have been told to ensure full compliance.
The directive has unsettled many employees, who are used to weekends off. Some said reaching offices so early would be difficult, while others complained that the order clashes with Jamai Sasthi, a traditional festival that was a holiday under the previous government. Plans for family trips and personal celebrations have been disrupted.
Concerns have also been raised about unclear instructions. Employees are unsure if those joining from home must send proof, and no transport arrangements have been announced. Bengal has over 8 lakh permanent employees, and including others covered by the order, the number exceeds 15 lakh, making full physical attendance unrealistic. Officials indicated that some staff will attend at workplaces while others may join from home.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the main Yoga Day event at Red Road, with smaller programmes across the state. In contrast, Delhi’s rules remain more flexible, where attendance is not compulsory.
Employees’ groups argue that participation should be voluntary, warning that imposed attendance undermines the spirit of the occasion.
