Even as 2026 marks the 12th International Day of Yoga with the theme ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’, which highlights the importance of adopting Yoga as a lifelong practice for healthy, active, and dignified ageing, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has boycotted this event.

Though the JMM had not issued an official state-level decree or statewide boycott of Yoga Day, the party has frequently opposed the ruling BJP's handling of the event, criticising massive state-sponsored celebrations for attempting to distract from local governance issues like acute power and water crises.

Also, the JMM has gone on record accusing the BJP of turning holistic events into political "publicity stunts". Even its allies, such as the Congress, RJD, Communists, among 19 major opposition parties, seem to have coordinated a boycott of the International Yoga Day.

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Notwithstanding these parties’ political stand, the main event of International Day of Yoga 2026 was held at the historic Red Road in Kolkata in West Bengal, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in the practice of the Common Yoga Protocol. 

The national celebration at Red Road began at 5:00 AM, with the participation of thousands of Yoga enthusiasts at the venue, while millions of citizens are expected to join virtually from across India and abroad. The event reaffirmed Yoga’s growing role as a global movement promoting health, harmony, and collective well-being.

The Ministry of Culture has organised special Yoga celebrations across 100 iconic locations in the country, connecting India’s rich cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and Yoga traditions. 

As part of this initiative, major celebrations were held at twelve prominent locations, including Red Fort in New Delhi, Haridwar in Uttarakhand, Konark in Odisha, Hampi in Karnataka, Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, Mumbai in Maharashtra, Nalanda in Bihar, Ahmedabad in Gujarat, Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, Leh in Ladakh, Hyderabad in Telangana, and Silchar in Assam.

In coordination with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, more than 210 Indian Missions abroad organised Yoga events at nearly 2,500 locations across the world. 

In Delhi, yoga celebrations were organised at prominent public locations, including the Lawn of Shantipath, Yamuna Sports Complex, Kartavya Path, New Moti Bagh, CP Central Park, Talkatora Garden and Yamuna Sports Complex.