Row on Zumba in schools: Kerala education minister says govt will not accept threats or interference
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T'puram/Kozhikode: Education minister V Sivankutty said no one should dictate terms on what should be done in public schools. If anyone has any issues, they should discuss them with the govt.
He stated that he would not accept any threat or warning from anyone regarding the Zumba row.
"There is an elected govt to decide on academic and non-academic matters in govt schools," Sivankutty told reporters in the capital.
The govt is ready to have a discussion on the steps taken, but on issues commonly known to all, the govt won't allow anyone to dictate terms that go against the secular nature of the country, he added.
The comments and behaviour on Zumba actually ridiculed lakhs of students and teachers who take part in the dance. "There is controversy on school uniforms, on dress code, and that boys and girls are dancing together. There are associations to decide the dress code of sportspersons; school uniforms are decided by the PTA," he said.
"There were requests not to hold exams on Saturdays because some groups said they can't use pen and paper on that day.
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Such things will inconvenience a large number of people. We're ready to bring changes that are justified."
The Zumba Association held a Zumba flash mob protest in front of the Secretariat against the attempts to target the fitness cardio programme in the name of dressing and terming it DJ entertainment. Minister Sivankutty took part in the protest.
Differences among Muslim bodies
Some Muslim organizations which had stringently opposed the introduction of Zumba in schools appear to be softening their stance now even as differences of opinion have emerged among other Muslim bodies over the matter.
Kerala Naduvathul Mujahideen (KNM) state president T P Abdulla Koya Madani said on Sunday the controversy was unnecessary and suggested that it was created by those who heard Zumba for the first time now.
Madani said KNM did not support stoking controversy over the issue, especially at the very start of the academic year, in a way that risked communal overtones.
"At the organisational level, we are sad over the moves which have taken place at the commencement of the academic year itself, making people think about it in a communal manner," he said, adding that the state govt was the one which was open to examining the matter and holding discussions if there was anything in Zumba which should be opposed.
Asked whether KNM opposed introduction of Zumba in schools, Madani said KNM did not have a stand of completely opposing any new reform. "It can be examined if there is anything in it which should be opposed. Creative suggestions can be put before the govt," he said.
IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty said no religious organization was against organizing physical activity in schools.
"The organizations had only sought clarity on some doubts and concerns over the matter.
The govt has now clarified that Zumba is not compulsory and is optional. I spoke to the education minister and he said that steps would be taken to clear the doubts," Kunhalikutty said.
He said instead of providing clarifications on the points raised, it is improper to brand the organizations as extremists.
EK Sunni leader Nasser Faizi Koodathayi said there was no need for opposition if there is an option to engage in exercises without mixed-gender format and by upholding one's own culture. "Our issue is when it is forcefully imposed," said Koodathayi.
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