Varanasi: Firebrand BJP leader Yogi Adityanath has stoked a controversy with his remarks that those opposing 'surya namaskar' should 'drown in the sea'.

With certain minority groups protesting against inclusion of 'Surya namaskar' exercise during the June 21 International Yoga Day celebrations, the Gorakhpur MP said, "Sun is the source of life giving energy. Whoever thinks Sun is communal, I would like to humbly request them to drown themselves in the sea or they should stay in a dark cell."