Thiruvananthapuram: Amid Muslim organisations and clerics raising the issue of “morality” to object to Kerala government’s initiative to introduce zumba practice in schools, the state’s general education department clarified Saturday that it will proceed with the plan. The opposition Congress termed the controversy “unnecessary”.
Addressing a press conference Saturday, general education minister V. Sivankutty said the objections will only foster communalism and division.
“There have been objections from some quarters against implementing sports activities like zumba, aerobics and yoga in the state’s schools. However, it’s important to understand that these activities are being introduced as part of an anti-drug programme. Such objections, rather than improving the education sector, will inject a poison more potent than drugs into society, fostering communalism and division,” he said.
He added that the activities conducted in schools are light exercises, with the students participating in school uniforms. He said children are mandated to participate in these activities, and parents don’t have a choice in the matter.
“According to the conduct rules, teachers are obligated to carry out the directives of the department. No one has asked students to wear minimal clothing,” he said, asserting that the government was open to a discussion if anyone had concerns but would continue with the initiative at present.
The minister also shared on his social media page a video of zumba practice, a dance-based fitness exercise, from a lower primary school in Malappuram district, where the students were seen dancing in their uniforms.
Kerala had earlier this year announced the decision to introduce zumba in schools from this academic year to support students’ mental health as part of an anti-drug campaign.
The general education department’s campaign for 2025-26 had kicked off with a mega display of zumba dance in Thiruvananthapuram, in which 1,500 students participated on 30 April.
A press release by the state public relations department issued on 3 May in this regard said the state aims to keep children away from drugs by offering positive and healthy activities, as studies have shown that children with mental health struggles are more likely to be targeted by drug networks.
However, the zumba initiative ran into controversy Friday as a few leaders of Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, a Muslim scholarly organisation in the state, came out openly against it and alleged that the exercise was against “morality”.
Though not politically affiliated, the organisation is mostly known for its pro-Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) stand in the state.
The state IUML leadership has so far distanced itself from the row. The party is the largest ally of the Congress in Kerala.
When asked about the stand on the matter, senior IUML leader and Perinthalmanna MLA Najeeb Kanthapuram said the party had not yet discussed it internally. “We will respond after studying the matter,” he told ThePrint. He did not respond to the Samastha leaders’ views on zumba.
Congress leader and Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil Saturday there was no need to start a controversy over the initiative.
“Now, many youngsters are victims of lifestyle diseases. It’s important to prioritise physical health at a young age. So, there is no need to start a controversy over an initiative launched to protect our health,” he said.
‘Objectionable’
On Friday, Samastha leader Nasar Faizy Koodathai wrote in a Facebook post that the zumba initiative was objectionable as it went against the “moral conscience” of many students. He said the state government should instead focus on improving existing physical training.
“The Kerala government has implemented zumba dance in schools. Zumba is reportedly a style of dance where people wear minimal clothing and dance together to music. If the government mandates even older children to do this, it is objectionable. Instead of improving existing physical training, such indecencies should not be enforced,” he wrote.
“This would be a violation of the individual freedom and fundamental rights of students whose moral conscience does not permit them to display their bodies and dance together,” he added.
The initiative was also opposed by Abdussamad Pookkottur, state secretary of Samastha Kerala Sunni Yuvajana Sangham, who said the dance form was against “moral values”.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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