Bengal govt employees organisation moves HC over Yoga Day participation

Business To Business, Kolkata, 18^th June, 2026:  An employees' organisation has approached the Calcutta High Court challenging the authority of the state's Chief Secretary to direct mandatory participation of government employees in programmes related to International Day of Yoga on June 21.
The organisation has questioned whether the Chief Secretary has the legal authority to compel government employees to participate in the Yoga Day celebrations.
The challenge is focused on the mandatory nature of the directive rather than the observance of Yoga Day itself.
The matter came up before Justice Amrita Sinha.
During the hearing, the judge reportedly made oral observations indicating that the programme was related to public health and wellness. Justice Sinha is stated to have remarked that the government would not want its employees to remain unhealthy.
The case raises questions about:

• The scope of administrative powers of the Chief Secretary.
• Whether participation in such events can be made compulsory for government employees.
• The balance between official directives and employees' individual choices.
• The legal validity of government instructions concerning participation in non-routine activities.