The Kerala education department's move to include Zumba, a dance fitness programme, in schools as part of its anti-drug campaign was met with criticism from Muslim organisations. The outfits have taken exception to girls and boys "mingling" and "dancing together in scanty attire". Most schools have introduced Zumba training from this year. Showing his disagreement, TK Ashraf, the general secretary of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, said his son would not join the classes.
Nasar Faizy Koodathai, the leader of the powerful Muslim organisation Samastha, described the decision as a breach of personal freedom and thrusting vulgarity in the name of physical fitness.
"The Kerala government has introduced Zumba dance in schools. Zumba is a form of dancing in groups while keeping oneself dressed in minimal clothing. If the government has asked even the older children to perform this, it is objectionable," Koodathai said.
"Rather than enhancing the present physical training, do not impose vulgarity. This is also a distortion of the personal liberty and human rights of students whose sense of values does not permit them to vent their fury and dance together," Muslim leader added.
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Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty has, however, justified the action, and posted a video on Facebook in which Muslim students were seen taking part 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. Referring to the criticism from Muslim outfits, Sivankutty said such protests would inject poison more toxic than drugs into society.
"No one has asked children to dress in minimal outfits. Children are in school uniforms and working," he added.
Sivankutty explained that under Right To Education (RTE), children have to undergo the learning processes as government prescribed. Parents cannot decide otherwise. "They should know that this is being done as part of an anti-drug campaign and awareness classes. Such objections will spread more poison than drugs in society. It will allow communalism and differences rather than enhancing education," the minister added.
Earlier, the education department stated that the Zumba classes were optional and were brought in as a measure to help students deal with academic pressure and prevent drug abuse.
A government spokesperson informed the media that the project aimed to encourage mental and physical well-being.
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