The Kerala education department's decision to introduce Zumba, a dance-based fitness program, in schools as part of its anti-drug campaign has faced backlash from Muslim organisations. The outfits have objected to girls and boys "intermingling" and "dancing together wearing minimal clothes".
Many schools have begun offering Zumba training from this academic year. Expressing his disapproval, TK Ashraf, general secretary of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, said his son would not participate in the sessions.
Nasar Faizy Koodathai, a leader of the influential Muslim organisation Samastha, called the move a violation of personal freedom and an imposition of vulgarity in the name of physical fitness.
"The Kerala government has implemented Zumba dance in schools. Zumba is a method of dancing together while wearing minimal clothes. If the government has instructed even older children to do this, it is objectionable," Koodathai said.
"Instead of improving the existing physical training, do not force vulgarity. This is also a violation of the personal freedom and fundamental rights of students whose moral sense does not allow them to express their anger and dance together," the Muslim leader further said.
Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty has, however, defended the move, and shared a video on Facebook showing Muslim students participating in a Zumba session. "Let the children play, laugh, have fun, and grow up healthy," Sivankutty said.
The video was from Thanbeehul Islam Higher Secondary School in Kasaragod.
On the backlash from Muslim outfits, Sivankutty said such objections would inject poison more deadly than drugs into society.
"No one has asked children to wear minimal clothes. Children are wearing school uniforms and performing," he said.
Sivankutty said that according to Right To Education (RTE), children must participate in the learning processes prescribed by the government. Parents have no choice in the matter.
"They should understand that this is being conducted as part of an anti-drug campaign and awareness classes. Such objections will spread more poison than drugs in our society. It will facilitate communalism and differences instead of improving education," the minister further said.
Previously, the education department said the Zumba sessions were voluntary and were introduced in an attempt to help students cope with academic pressure and discourage drug abuse.
A government official told ANI that the initiative was to promote mental and physical well-being.
Source: India Today