The Indian state defends Zumba’s plan against the backdrop of protests from religious groups

The southern Indian state of Kerala defended its decision to introduce Zumba classes in public schools after this move sparked protests from religious groups earlier this week.

About 14,000 State Schools in Kerala have been asked to organize daily Zumba Sessions as part of a drug campaign launched by the government last month.

The decision was bitterly opposed by some Hindu and Muslim organizations in the country, who say that tan is a form of “cultural invasion”.

They urge parents and teachers to boycott the program, saying that this contradicts their religious beliefs and moral values. As the protests have died, the groups continue to oppose politics.

However, the Kerala government said it would not return the program, adding that “religion should not be mixed with education.”

“Those who protest are more dangerous than any drug problem,” said V Sivankutty, State Minister of Education, before the BBC.

Sivankutty added that although schools were asked to introduce a zumba into the curriculum, classes would still be optional to students.

“It’s not like forcing anyone – you can always give up if you want,” he said.

The protests first began when the Kerala government introduced a number of measures to counteract the growing drug use among students last month.

These include increased monitoring of campuses, new awareness campaigns and rehabilitation programs for students, along with Zumba lessons.

According to the guidelines, all public schools have been asked to hire trained ZUMBA instructors to conduct daily sessions for students.

The curriculum and its schedule, they said, must be designed given the convenience of both students and teachers.

This move was deployed by Samstha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulema, an influential organization of Muslim clergy in a country that rules hundreds of religious schools.

The spokesman for the group of Nasar Faisi Codahai told the BBC that the boys and girls who dance together in what he described as “vulgar” clothing is unacceptable.

“Zumba contradicts Indian moral values ​​as it requires students to wear tight clothes and dance together together. This should not be accepted,” he said.

Bharatiya Vichara Kendram, a right -wing organization that is described as a group of “The intellectuals of the Hindus, “this opinion echoed.

In a statement earlier this week, the director of the organization, R Sanjayan, called Zumba “foreign” imports and said that its imposition on students in the name of the fight against drug use was “malicious”.

“In order to promote foreign cultural export, there are latest motives such as Zumba from the government, which has not made efforts to enrich or protect our traditions,” he said, adding that parents and students should oppose the rule because it is “against the uniqueness of the country.”

The government has rejected all claims.

“The idea is to encourage students to start a new fitness journey for a healthier lifestyle – and nothing else,” Sivankti said.

In addition, the guidelines make it clear that students will have to wear their school uniforms during the sessions, leaving no “inappropriate dress,” he said.

“In schools, light exercises are always encouraged and children always carry uniforms for these sessions.”

The sole purpose of the government, he added, is to encourage healthy habits in children.

“Attachment in sports encourages mental and physical vitality, health and positive thinking in children, which can improve their academic presentation and personal development.”

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