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India Gazette
7 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Kerala: Muslim groups oppose education department's introduction of Zumba in schools
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 28 (ANI): Muslim groups in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram have raised strong objections after the state education department introduced Zumba dance in schools, stating that they can't accept girls and boys intermingling, dancing together, or wearing minimal clothing. The move, as part of its anti-drug campaign, aimed at helping students manage stress through physical activity, drew criticism for allegedly promoting indecent intermingling of boys and girls. The backlash began after TK Ashraf, a teacher and General Secretary of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, posted on Facebook that he and his son would not participate in the programme. 'Cannot accept this, and my son and I will not participate in this,' Ashraf wrote in a brief but direct statement opposing the initiative. Soon after, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama leader Nassar Faizy Koodathai also posted, calling the Zumba sessions inappropriate and a violation of students' rights. In a post on Facebook, Nasar Faizy Koodathai said, 'The Kerala government has implemented Zumba dance in schools. Zumba is a method of dancing together while wearing minimal clothes. If the government has instructed even older children to do this, it is objectionable. Instead of improving the existing physical training, do not force vulgarity. This is also a violation of the personal freedom and fundamental rights of students whose moral sense does not allow them to express their anger and dance together.' The education department, on the other hand, defended its decision, saying the Zumba sessions were voluntary and were introduced under a statewide initiative to help students cope with academic pressure and discourage drug abuse. According to the official, the programme was designed to promote mental and physical well-being and was not mandatory for students. (ANI)
India Today
9 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Kerala introduces Zumba in schools, Muslim outfits don't dance to its tune
The Kerala education department's decision to introduce Zumba, a dance-based fitness program, in schools as part of its anti-drug campaign has faced backlash from Muslim organisations. The outfits have objected to girls and boys "intermingling" and "dancing together wearing minimal clothes".Many schools have begun offering Zumba training from this academic year. Expressing his disapproval, TK Ashraf, general secretary of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, said his son would not participate in the accept this, and my son will not participate in this," Ashraf wrote in a Facebook post. Nasar Faizy Koodathai, a leader of the influential Muslim organisation Samastha, called the move a violation of personal freedom and an imposition of vulgarity in the name of physical fitness."The Kerala government has implemented Zumba dance in schools. Zumba is a method of dancing together while wearing minimal clothes. If the government has instructed even older children to do this, it is objectionable," Koodathai said."Instead of improving the existing physical training, do not force vulgarity. This is also a violation of the personal freedom and fundamental rights of students whose moral sense does not allow them to express their anger and dance together," the Muslim leader further Education Minister V Sivankutty has, however, defended the move, and shared a video on Facebook showing Muslim students participating in a Zumba session. "Let the children play, laugh, have fun, and grow up healthy," Sivankutty video was from Thanbeehul Islam Higher Secondary School in the education department said the Zumba sessions were voluntary and were introduced in an attempt to help students cope with academic pressure and discourage drug abuse.A government official told ANI that the initiative was to promote mental and physical well-being.- Ends
New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
More Muslim groups come out against Zumba sessions in Kerala schools
KOZHIKODE: The education department's decision to introduce zumba sessions in school curriculum to fight drug menace is now at the centre of controversy, with more Muslim organisations coming out opposing the move. After Wisdom Islamic Organisation, the Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS) has also criticised the decision, alleging that it violates moral norms. However, opposition to the initiative — intended to promote the physical and mental well-being of students and teachers — has invited sharp criticism from various corners. Such opposition will take society backwards, social activists said. The first objection was raised by Wisdom Islamic Organisation general secretary T K Ashraf in a Facebook post on Thursday. Ashraf, a school teacher from Palakkad, told TNIE that neither he nor his children took part in the zumba sessions arranged at the school as part of International Day against Drug Abuse. 'I send my child to a public school for quality education — not to promote a culture where boys and girls mingle, wear short clothes, and dance to music,' he said. By Friday, more leaders echoed similar sentiments. Abdussamad Pookkottur, state secretary of Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS), the youth organisation of the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, labelled zumba harmful to moral values and urged parents to respond critically. Another SYS leader, Nazar Faizy Koodathai, also argued that group dancing in 'vulgar' attire is objectionable, especially in the case of older students. 'Zumba goes against Indian moral values. From what I understand, it involves students wearing tight clothes and dancing together. This cannot be tolerated. The government should have consulted student organisations before taking such a decision,' he told TNIE. However, the criticism was swiftly countered by social activists and LDF leaders. Progressive Women's Forum president V P Zuhra accused leaders of Muslim organisations of trying to steer Kerala towards Taliban-style conservatism. 'How can a teacher like Ashraf say boys and girls should not be together? Their aim is to pull the youth backwards. The youth must resist this,' Suhara said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Police arrest two Tamil Nadu natives in ‘virtual arrest' case
Thiruvananthapuram: Rural cyber police on Thursday arrested two people involved in a cybercrime in which a Konchira native lost Rs 20 lakh after he was put under 'virtual arrest' by individuals posing as police officers. Police identified the arrested persons as Kripson P, 22, of Kadayamperumpath in Tenkasi and Petchikumar N, 27, of Kulasekarapatti in Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. Police said that Konchira native Ashraf was contacted over the phone by an unidentified man who claimed that there was a money laundering case registered against him. Later, he received a video call in which two men in police uniform claimed that Ashraf was under virtual arrest. As part of verification, he was asked to transfer money from his accounts to an account provided by them. The accused promised him that the money would be returned soon. He realised it was a scam later and filed a case with the cyber police. After Ashraf transferred the money, the accused transferred the amount to four different accounts. Police soon identified one of the accounts belonging to Petchikumar. Examining his call list, police found that as per Kripson's direction Petchikumar handed over the money to him. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Petchikumar was given a commission for using the bank account. Police also found that a transaction worth Rs 1 crore in cryptocurrency has occurred through Kripson's account. His exact role in the fraud is yet to be identified. "Kripson is a key link in the fraud, but we believe there are more people involved in the crime. Probe is on to identify the owners of the other three accounts as well," said police.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Talapady-Hejmady stretch accounts for 86% of road fatalities on NHs in and around Mangaluru since 2023
The three National Highways in and around the city have claimed the lives of 188 people from 2023 to June 15, 2025, and 86% of these deaths (162) occurred on the 43-km stretch of the Kochi-Panvel NH 66 alone, according to the data provided by the city police. Pedestrians constitute more than one-third of the road accident victims, that is 72, in Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate limits, and the number of pedestrians who died on NH 66 is 63, during this period. Besides the Talapady-Hejmady stretch of NH 66, which falls under the Commissionerate limits, the Nanthoor-Arkula stretch of Mangaluru-Bengaluru NH 75 (10 km) and the Bikarnakatte-Moodbidri stretch of Mangaluru-Solapur NH 169 come under the jurisdiction of the City Traffic Police. NH 66 has virtually become a death trap for motorists and pedestrians, with 81 people, including 39 pedestrians, being killed in the Traffic North Police limits that comprises areas beyond Kulur Bridge and includes the busy New Mangalore Port, Baikampady and Surathkal. Under the Traffic South Police limits, which comprises areas beyond Pumpwell Circle and including Thokkottu till Talapady, 55 people, including 17 pedestrians, were killed during the period. In all, there were 69 fatal accidents and 72 deaths in 2023, 83 fatal accidents and 85 deaths in 2024 and 30 fatal accidents and 31 fatalities till June 15, 2025, in the City Commissionerate limits. Paucity of road furniture City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy told The Hindu that the police have written several letters to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to improve the road furniture of NHs. In the June 9 death of two-wheeler rider Ashraf of Surathkal Janatha Colony in Panambur, where a tanker ran over him after his fall due to a pothole, the police have issued a notice to NHAI asking to show cause why action should not be initiated against the Authority. While the Nanthoor-NITK Surathkal stretch of NH 66, under the Port Connectivity Road project, was built and maintained by the New Mangalore Port Road Company Ltd., after the abolition of the NITK Surathkal toll gate, it did not continue to maintain the stretch. Even when the company was collecting the toll, the stretch had been in a pathetic state, forcing the Surathkal Toll Gate Virodhi Horata Samithi and other concerned individuals to hold protests demanding its proper upkeep. The NHAI is yet to complete the total renewal of the 11 km highway sanctioned by the Member of Parliament, Capt. Brjesh Chowta, at a cost of ₹28.58 crore. Another senior officer said that the NHAI failed to erect median barricades to discourage pedestrians from crossing highways at will, and also didn't install blinkers at many median openings to caution vehicle drivers. Many accidents happened due to rash and negligent driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol, Mr. Reddy said, citing the accident at Jeppinamogaru on June 18, where two youngsters in a car died in a self-accident. Sixteen blackspots Of the 16 identified accident blackspots along the NHs, seven were located within the Traffic North Police limits on NH 66, including Kulur, Jokatte Cross, Kulai, Hosabettu, Thadambail, and Mukka. Again, three were on NH 66 under the Traffic East Police limits — AJ Hospital/Kuntikana, KPT, and Nanthoor — and two under the Traffic South Police limits — Kallapu and Kolya. The other blackspots were Bikarnakatte, Gurupura Bandasale Cross to Gurupura Bridge, and Vidyagiri-Samagara Gundi stretch on NH 169 and Adyar Katte on NH 75.
