Zumba Row: Kerala Teacher Suspended For Criticising Govt's Move On Social Media

News18

03-07-2025

Last Updated:
A teacher from T A M UP School, was suspended for a social media post criticising Zumba, which the Kerala Education Department introduced in schools for an anti-drug campaign.
A teacher from T A M UP School in Edathanattukara, T K Ashraf, has been suspended following a social media post criticising the Zumba dance. He was suspended by the school management pending an inquiry.
Following strong intervention by the Department of Education, the school took action and suspended the teacher. A meeting was held at the school on Thursday to decide on the next steps. The school manager confirmed that a copy of the suspension order has been sent to the Education Department.
The controversy started when T K Ashraf shared a post on social media criticising Zumba dance. As the issue sparked public debate, the Department of General Education issued a notice to the school manager through the Deputy Director of Education, Palakkad, seeking action within 24 hours.
The management requested three days to respond, but the department did not grant the extension. Subsequently, the suspension order was handed over on Thursday morning.
The Kerala education department introduced Zumba in schools as part of its anti-drug campaign, and some Muslim outfits have objected to the decision. The move is facing backlash as some religious groups objected to girls and boys 'intermingling" and 'dancing together wearing minimal clothes".
Many schools in the state have begun offering Zumba training from this academic year. Zumba is a fitness program that involves cardio and Latin-inspired dance.
However, Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty defended the move and also shared a video on Facebook showing the participation of Muslim students in a Zumba session.'Let the children play, laugh, have fun, and grow up healthy," Sivankutty said.
CPM General Secretary MA Baby called the objections based on misconceptions. He noted that Zumba is done globally and that the students were 'fully clothed".
The SNDP has backed the move. Youth Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil and DYFI have also expressed support.
First Published:
July 03, 2025, 19:15 IST