Zumba dance programme in Kerala schools faces opposition from Muslim groups

The programme was introduced in schools following a directive from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who stated that the dance— which combines dance and aerobic movements performed to lively music—would help reduce stress among schoolchildren and, in turn, counter the menace of drug abuse among young people.

Thiruvananthapuram: A section of Muslim outfits in Kerala are opposing the move to introduce Zumba fitness programme as a stress reliever for school students in the state citing that it could affect morality.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recently suggested introducing Zumba in schools to relieve students from stress. It was suggested as part of the efforts to curb the growing drug abuse among students.

Subsequently, the state education department also initiated steps like training teachers to introduce Zumba sessions from class eight.

However, the move to introduce the dance oriented fitness has not gone down well with some Muslim outfits for reasons like boys and girls doing it together.

Abdul Samad Pookkottur, a leader of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama - a forum of Sunni scholars, said in a social media post that there were serious concerns that introducing Zumba at schools could affect the morality of students. There are many other ways to relieve stress instead of going for a western programme. He also claimed that it was banned in many countries.

Indian Union Muslim League's student wing Muslim Students Federation criticized the government for unilaterally deciding to introduce Zumba in school as a stress relieving programme without holding any study. Various other Muslim forums also raised objections.

Kerala higher education minister R Bindu flayed the objections being raised against Zumba by citing morality.

State education department sources point out that Zumba is one of the most popular fitness programmes and hence it was being introduced in schools. Already Zumba training centres have mushroomed across Kerala, they point out.