After Kerala education department introduced Zumba in schools as part of its anti-drug campaign, some Muslim outfits have objected the decision. The move is facing backlash as some religious groups objected to girls and boys 鈥渋ntermingling鈥 and 鈥渄ancing together wearing minimal clothes鈥.
From this academic year, many schools in the state have begun offering training in Zumba 鈥 a fitness program that involves cardio and Latin-inspired dance.
According to a report in India Today, the general secretary of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, TK Ashraf, expressed his disapproval of the program in a Facebook post, saying, 鈥淐annot accept this, and my son will not participate in this鈥
The India Today reported that Nasar Faizy Koodathai, a leader of the prominent Muslim organisation in Kerala 鈥楽amastha鈥, described the move as a violation of personal liberty and an imposition of vulgarity in the name of physical fitness.
鈥淭he 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,鈥 India Today quoted Koodathai as saying.
鈥淚nstead 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,鈥 the Muslim outfit leader further said.
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Meanwhile, Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty defended the move and also shared a video on Facebook showing participation of Muslim students in a Zumba session.
鈥淟et the children play, laugh, have fun, and grow up healthy,鈥 Sivankutty said.
The visuals were from Thanbeehul Islam Higher Secondary School in Kasaragod district.
Earlier, the state education department said the Zumba classes were voluntary, adding that they were introduced with a goal to assist students cope with academic pressure and discourage drug abuse.