Kerala government firm on zumba sessions in schools, says Minister Sivankutty
KOZHIKODE: Expressing the state government's resolve not to be cowed down by opposition from various Muslim organisations to the introduction of zumba sessions in schools, General Education Minister V Sivankutty said controversy over the initiative will only help grow of communalism and sectarianism.
Addressing a press conference in Kozhikode on Saturday, the minister said the exercise was introduced to combat drug menace among the youth. The stand of those opposing it will spread poison in society that is more dangerous than drugs, he said.
Reacting to the criticism that immodest dresses are made mandatory for zumba in schools, Sivankutty said students practise it in school uniforms. 'It is mandatory for students to participate in the study exercises that are stipulated under the Right to Education Act. Parents have no choice in that and teachers are duty-bound to follow those things under conduct rules,' he said.
There were veiled comments from some corners that the government may make a climbdown on the issue in the face of objections raised by some Muslim organisations as it happened in the case of PSC appointments in the Waqf Board and in the issue of gender-neutral uniform. The Kanthapuram factions of Sunnis have also come up against the government's decision.
But CPM leaders have intensified their attacks against the organisations which oppose mzumba sessions in schools. DYFI state secretary V K Sanoj extended all support to the government to go ahead with the decision.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Despite Protests, Kerala Government Firm On Zumba Dance In Schools
Kozhikode: The Kerala government on Saturday stood firm in its decision to introduce Zumba dance in state schools as part of its anti-drug campaign, saying the opposition to it is "more venomous than narcotic substance". The opposition Congress, however, took a stand that they are not against Zumba, but it is better not to impose such things. Such matters should not lead to controversies as there is a section of people who would take advantage of it, the grand-old party said. Explaining the government's stance over the matter, General Education Minister V Sivankutty said a section of people are deliberately creating issues over the matter and nothing harmful for children is being implemented. "The government is ready to hold talks with those who have misunderstandings in this regard. But, we have not taken any decision to backtrack from the government's present stand," he told reporters. Mr Sivankutty clarified the government's position on Zumba dance, a high-energy fitness programme introduced in schools in Kerala by the General Education Department as part of its anti-drug campaign, facing opposition from certain Muslim groups who argue that it went against moral values. He said there has been opposition from some quarters against the implementation of activities like Zumba, aerobics, and yoga in schools in the state. However, it is important to understand that these activities are being implemented as part of anti-drug awareness. "Such opposition will inject a poison more deadly than drugs in the society. Instead of improving the education sector, it will fuel communalism and sectarianism," Mr Sivankutty said while replying to a question. The school activities only involve light exercises, which children perform in uniforms. Citing the Right To Education (RTE) norms, he said children are required to participate in the learning processes prescribed by the government. "The parent has no choice in the matter. The teacher is obligated to do what the department prescribes as per the conduct rules. No one has asked the children to wear skimpy clothes," the Minister said. He recalled that protests had erupted in many states against dress codes, including the hijab, but progressive movements adopted a lofty democratic and cultural stance. Apparently referring to Muslim outfits who have raised objection to introduction of Zumba in schools, Mr Sivankutty said some movements here are, however, adopting positions in favoUr of majority communalism. "This is tantamount to turning a sheep into a dog. In a society like Kerala where we live in harmony, such positions will only encourage majority communalism," he said. Underscoring the significance of sports in education, he said engaging in sports can help children develop mental and physical fitness, health, and positive thinking. This can have a positive impact on their learning and personality development, he said, adding that therefore, it is essential to promote such healthy activities among children. Physical education is currently included as a compulsory subject in the general education sector in Kerala, the minister said. It is good to regularly engage in long-lasting physical activities, including various types of dance, to improve cardiovascular and respiratory fitness, Mr Sivankutty added, justifying the government decision to go ahead with Zumba dance in schools. While talking to reporters in Ernakulam, Opposition Leader in the Assembly V D Satheesan said there is no need to get into a controversy over Zumba dance. If anyone complains when the government implements such things, the authorities should discuss it with them and resolve it, he said. "There's no need to impose such things. Let those who like it do it and those who don't like it don't. If there is a complaint, the government should be able to discuss it and find a solution," he said. Youth Congress leader and Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil strongly supported the government's decision to introduce Zumba dance in schools and said it is an effort to protect children's health and there is no need to make it a controversy. "During this time of lifestyle diseases, it is good to give children awareness about the need to protect their health from school level," he said. The leaders of the Kerala Students' Union (KSU), the students' wing of the Congress party, and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the ruling CPI(M), also came in support of the dance form. CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby and state ministers M B Rajesh and R Bindhu also supported the general education department's move. The Zumba programme was introduced in schools following a directive from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who stated that the dance, which combines aerobic movements performed to lively music would help reduce stress among schoolchildren and, in turn, counter the menace of drug abuse among young people. From this academic year, many schools have begun offering Zumba training. However, some Muslim organisations came out against the government's decision.
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
21-year-old Hindu woman raped by local politician in Bangladesh, five arrested
Police have arrested five individuals, including the primary suspect, Fazor Ali, a local Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader, in connection with the rape of a 21-year-old woman in Muradnagar upazila. Three others were detained for recording and sharing a video of the victim on social incident occurred on June 26, 2025, when Fazor Ali, 38, from Ramchandrapur Pachkitta village, allegedly broke into the victim's father's house around 10 victim, whose husband is working in Dubai, was staying at her father's home with her children for the local festival Hari Seva. According to the case statement, Ali forcibly entered the house after the victim refused to open the door and assaulted her. Locals apprehended and beat Ali but he managed to flee the arrested Fazor Ali in Dhaka's Saydabad area at approximately 5 am on Sunday.A case has been filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act based on the victim's written complaint, lodged on June 27. The Muradnagar police have launched an investigation in the the incident has sparked protests in the region with residents expressing agner over the alleged assault by a Muslim man on a Hindu woman. Since the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, there has been a noticeable rise in targeted attacks against the Hindu community in Ends IN THIS STORY#Bangladesh
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘Golden time to remove socialism, secularism from Constitution': Himanta joins debate on Preamble
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said this is a 'golden time' to remove the terms 'socialism' and 'secularism' from the Constitution. He said the Constitution had been 'completely transformed' by the addition of the two terms through the 42nd amendment under then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's leadership. 'Fifty years after the Emergency, be it the RSS or be it several intellectuals in the country, they have said that this is the golden time to remove the words socialism and secularism from the Constitution. We are a mature democracy… We don't need to adopt the terminology of secularism from the British or American constitutions; we will take our secularism from the Bhagwat Gita,' Sarma said. He was speaking at the Assam launch of the book 'The Emergency Diaries — Years that Forged a Leader'. According to the publisher, the book is a compilation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's experiences during the anti-Emergency movement. Sarma said an 'Indian concept' of secularism had already been enshrined in the Constitution with Article 14, which guarantees equality before law to all persons. 'Our Constitution's Article 14, where it says that there cannot be different treatment against anyone in the country by the State, that is the foundation of our secularism. At the time of framing the Constitution, Ambedkar had said that there is no question of mentioning the word secularism in the Constitution. Article 14 clearly says that the State cannot discriminate against anyone. That is the highest level of secularism… After Prime Minister Indira Gandhi introduced the word secularism in the Constitution, be it courts or intellectuals, they began looking at secularism through a Western lens. Because the word secularism is not conceived in the Indian context… We are not neutral… We are with the Hindus and we are with the Muslims, also. Here, secularism is a positive concept,' he said. Speaking further on this, he said, 'If we are neutral, we cannot work for sattras (Vaishnavite monasteries in Assam), namghars (community prayer halls), temples, cannot discuss matters of the Vedas, we cannot discuss about the Gita… Now, how can Himanta Biswa Sarma be secular? I am a hardcore Hindu. I cannot be secular. How can a Muslim person be secular? He is a hardcore Muslim. But in Hinduism, it is written, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). If you are a hardcore Hindu, you have to reflect on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. In Islam, it says that you always have to think positively towards the destitute. That means our secularism is never inspired by the Western definition of secularism… We are not neutral. We are positively aligned because India is a spiritual nation.' He also said that socialism was never a part of Indian civilisation nor of the 'economic ideals that Mahatma Gandhi had spoken about, which was trusteeship'. 'In our civilisation, no leader spoke about socialism. It is an ideology based on conflict… Because of that, we fell behind in competition with other countries… This socialism that was included in the Constitution did not have to be demolished by the BJP. The Congress, with Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh themselves, demolished it and they brought liberalisation to our economy… Narendra Modi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee took this liberalisation philosophy further,' he said, referring to the economic reforms of the early 1990s.
