Indian state defends Zumba plan amid protests from religious groups

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

About 14,000 state -run schools in Kerala state were asked daily Zumba sessions as part of the anti -drug campaign launched by the government last month.

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

They urge parents and teachers to boycott the program, saying that it contradicts their religious beliefs and their moral values. While the protests vanished, the groups continue to oppose politics.

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

“Those who protest themselves are more dangerous than any drug problem,” V Sivankutty, the state’s Minister of Education, told the BBC.

Sivankutty added that although schools were asked to enter Zumba in the curriculum, the classroom will remain optional for students.

“It is not as if we are forcing anyone – you can always cancel the subscription if you like,” he said.

The protests began for the first time when the Kerala state government introduced a large number of measures to meet the increasing use of drugs among school students last month.

This reinforced monitoring includes universities, new awareness campaigns and students’ rehabilitation programs, as well as Zumba lessons.

Under the guidelines, all the state -run schools were asked to employ trainers trained on Zumba to keep daily sessions for students.

They said that the curriculum should be designed, and the schedule should be designed, taking into account both students and teachers.

This step was deeply opposed by Samstha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulema, an influential organization for Muslim clerics in the state, which runs hundreds of religious schools.

The group’s spokesman, Nasr Fayezi Kodatai, told the BBC that boys and girls were dancing together, describing it as “vulgar”, which was unacceptable.

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

Bharatiya Vichara Kendram, a right -wing organization that describes itself as a group of “This Hindu opinion was echoed. “

In a statement earlier this week, the organization’s director, Sanjayan, described Zumba as a “foreigner”, and said that his imposition on students in the name of anti -drug use was “harmful”.

“There are hidden motives behind the strengthening of foreign cultural exports such as Zumba by the government, which has not made any effort to enrich or protect our traditions,” he said, adding that parents and students should oppose the base because it is “against the uniqueness of the country.”

The government rejected all allegations.

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

Besides, instructions show that students will have to wear school uniforms during the sessions, and he left no field for “wearing inappropriate clothes.”

“In schools, light exercises are always encouraged and children always wear the uniform of these sessions.”

He added that the only goal of the government is to encourage healthy habits in children.

“Execution in sport enhances mental and physical vitality, health and positive thinking in children, which can enhance their academic performance and their personal development.”

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