The 10th International Day of Yoga has been celebrated peacefully in the Maldives.

In a post on social media platform ‘X’ on Thursday, the High Commission of India in the Maldives revealed that an event was held at the commission, to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga.

The event held at the high commission saw the participation of yoga enthusiasts from the neighboring country as well as the Maldives.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in Maldives expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Maldivians who joined the event.

The theme for this year’s international yoga day revolves around “Yoga for Self and Society”.

During the event, High Commissioner of India to Maldives Munu Mahawar shared the message sent to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate the day.

As such, he reaffirmed the government of India’s continued commitment to contribute to global trend towards “back to basics” mindfulness and sustainable lifestyles.

Mahawar further noted that yoga transcends cultures and borders, uniting people in a shared journey towards better health, inner peace and harmony.

On 21 June 2022, then-opposition protestors stormed the National Stadium where activities were being held to mark the International Day of Yoga. Several arrests were made in connection with the riots at the National Stadium.

The yoga event, organized by the Indian High Commission in Maldives, was joined by foreign diplomats, senior government officials as well as locals including children and elders. The event was disrupted by a group of individuals who stormed into the stadium and demanded to halt the event. Physical attacks were also reported alongside vandalism, which caused injuries to some of the participants.

Back then, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) had revealed that the supplies including flags were provided to the protestors by the then-opposition and current ruling coalition member Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

It was also revealed that the flags used in the riots were the same ones used at the political gathering held by PPM at the carnival area.

The sound system was also reported to have been provided by PPM.

PPM had later issued a statement, noting that supplying the flags was “not an issue” by itself.

The yoga event riot made international headlines, with the former administration of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih strongly condemning the actions of the protestors.