BJP chief Nitin Nabin joins 12,000 at Yoga Day event in Punjab's Phagwara
Synopsis
BJP national president Nitin Nabin made his first official Punjab visit since taking charge, joining 12,000 people at an LPU Yoga Day event built around a symbolic '12-12-12' theme — 12th Yoga Day, 12 years of Modi's tenure, 12,000 attendees. A time capsule sealed for 2047 and a mass anti-drug pledge added layers beyond the yoga mat.
Key Takeaways
BJP national president Nitin Nabin attended the 12th International Yoga Day event on 21 June in Phagwara, Punjab — his first official state visit as party chief.
The event at Lovely Professional University (LPU) , organised by Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal , drew around 12,000 participants.
The celebration centred on a '12-12-12' theme : 12th Yoga Day, 12 years of global yoga expansion, and 12,000 attendees.
A time capsule was installed on the LPU campus, to be reopened in 2047 as a symbol of India's developmental journey.
Over 12,000 participants took an anti-drug pledge administered by MP Mittal.
Nabin's Punjab tour also covered Jalandhar , Amritsar , and Ludhiana for BJP organisational programmes.
BJP national president Nitin Nabin participated in the 12th International Yoga Day celebrations on 21 June at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, joining roughly 12,000 attendees at an event organised by Rajya Sabha member Ashok Mittal. The occasion marked Nabin's first official visit to Punjab since assuming the party's top organisational post.
The '12-12-12' Theme
The gathering was anchored around a distinctive '12-12-12' theme, representing the 12th edition of International Yoga Day, 12 years of yoga's global expansion under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, and the participation of nearly 12,000 people on the LPU campus. Nabin also noted that this year's Yoga Day coincides with the completion of 12 years of Modi's tenure as Prime Minister, lending the occasion added symbolic weight.
What Nabin Said
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Nabin underlined yoga's transformation from an ancient Indian practice into a global movement. He said: 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts have transformed yoga from an ancient Indian tradition into a global celebration observed in more than 190 countries.' He credited India's 2014 proposal to the United Nations — which led to the formal adoption of International Yoga Day — as the turning point for yoga's worldwide reach.
Rajya Sabha MP Mittal's Address
Ashok Mittal framed the event as a vehicle for social cohesion, saying: 'Our objective is to bring together more than 12,000 people through yoga and send a powerful message that health, well-being, and inner balance can serve as instruments for social unity and national strength.' He added that this year's UN theme, 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing', highlights yoga's potential to improve quality of life at every stage, and called on young people to integrate yoga into their daily routines.
Time Capsule and Anti-Drug Pledge
In a symbolic gesture, Nabin, Mittal, and other dignitaries placed personal messages in a time capsule installed on the LPU campus, to be reopened in 2047 — the centenary of India's independence — as a marker of the nation's developmental journey. Separately, Mittal administered an anti-drug pledge to the more than 12,000 participants, who committed to avoiding substance abuse and spreading awareness in their communities.
Punjab Outreach Tour
Nabin's Yoga Day appearance was part of a broader Punjab tour that included events in Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Ludhiana, aimed at strengthening the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s organisational presence and public engagement across the state. The visit signals the new party chief's intent to build ground-level connect in a state where the BJP is seeking to rebuild after successive electoral setbacks. How the outreach translates into organisational depth will be closely watched ahead of future assembly polls.
Point of View
Blurring the line between party outreach and national-day celebration. The anti-drug pledge, a recurring fixture at Punjab events given the state's well-documented substance abuse crisis, adds a social-welfare dimension that the BJP hopes will broaden its appeal beyond its traditional base. Whether a single high-profile visit translates into durable organisational gains is the question Punjab BJP insiders will be watching.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nitin Nabin and why did he visit Punjab?
Nitin Nabin is the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He visited Punjab on 21 June to attend the 12th International Yoga Day event in Phagwara, which was also his first official state visit after assuming the party's top post.
Where was the Yoga Day event held and how many people attended?
The event was held at the campus of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, and saw the participation of around 12,000 people. It was organised by Rajya Sabha member Ashok Mittal.
What is the '12-12-12' theme of this year's event?
The '12-12-12' theme symbolises the 12th edition of International Yoga Day, 12 years of yoga's global expansion under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, and the gathering of nearly 12,000 participants at the LPU campus.
What is the significance of the time capsule installed at LPU?
A time capsule containing messages from BJP president Nitin Nabin, Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal, and other dignitaries was installed at the LPU campus on 21 June 2025. It is set to be reopened in 2047, the centenary of India's independence, as a marker of the country's developmental journey.
What is the UN theme for International Yoga Day 2025?
The United Nations theme for the 12th International Yoga Day is 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing', highlighting yoga's capacity to improve quality of life across all age groups. The theme was cited by Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal in his address at the Phagwara event.
