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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Zumba dispute shows no signs of cooling down
The controversy surrounding the introduction of Zumba dance on government and aided school campuses in the State as an anti-drug measure appears to linger on with different Muslim organisations steadfastly opposing the initiative. Muslim groups have been opposing the move by raising concerns about Zumba dance's moral and cultural implications for school campuses. However, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), unlike other Muslim groups, has chosen a measured approach to the Zumba the controversy. The party is of the view that it must study the issue before commenting about it. The Muslim League's cautious approach is reflected in its State general secretary P.M.A. Salam's comments, where he pointed out the need for the State government to address the concerns of all sections about the introduction of Zumba dance in schools. While the IUML has not outrightly opposed Zumba, it has sought discussions and considerations of diverse perspectives before moving forward with the programme. The IUML is of the view that any programme should be implemented in a way acceptable to all sections. While Muslim groups like the Samastha Kerala Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS), Samastha Kerala Islam Matha Vidysbhyasa Board, and Wisdom Islamic Organisation are opposing Zumba due to moral and cultural concerns, others are questioning the programme's effectiveness. Moderate groups and individuals in the Muslim community are scrutinising the scientific basis of Zumba as a tool to combat drug abuse among students. C. Mohammed Ajmal, an IIT Madras alumnus and education counsellor, contests the basic idea of the programme. 'Youngsters are turning to drugs in pursuit of pleasure, rather than as a stress-relief mechanism,' he said. In his view, setting and achieving long-term goals can help students discover more significant and rewarding experiences. Wisdom Youth Movement vice president P.P. Naseef urged the government to listen to the concerns of the people who object to Zumba dance before imposing the programme. 'Taking everyone into confidence is always better,' said Dr. Naseef. Meanwhile, the government has decided to proceed with Zumba despite the opposition from Muslim groups. According to Education Minister V. Sivankutty, student can participate in Zumba in their regular uniforms. CPI(M) national secretary M.A. Baby has called upon the people not to mix religion in academics. He said religion should be kept away from public education in a secular country like India. Unless the government finds common ground with protesters, campuses may witness a Zumba showdown when classes resume on Monday.
The Print
2 days ago
- Health
- The Print
Kerala sticks to school zumba plan amid censure from Muslim outfits, Congress calls row ‘unnecessary'
'There have been objections from some quarters against implementing sports activities like zumba, aerobics and yoga in the state's schools. However, it's important to understand that these activities are being introduced as part of an anti-drug programme. Such objections, rather than improving the education sector, will inject a poison more potent than drugs into society, fostering communalism and division,' he said. Addressing a press conference Saturday, general education minister V. Sivankutty said the objections will only foster communalism and division. Thiruvananthapuram: Amid Muslim organisations and clerics raising the issue of 'morality' to object to Kerala government's initiative to introduce zumba practice in schools, the state's general education department clarified Saturday that it will proceed with the plan. The opposition Congress termed the controversy 'unnecessary'. He added that the activities conducted in schools are light exercises, with the students participating in school uniforms. He said children are mandated to participate in these activities, and parents don't have a choice in the matter. 'According to the conduct rules, teachers are obligated to carry out the directives of the department. No one has asked students to wear minimal clothing,' he said, asserting that the government was open to a discussion if anyone had concerns but would continue with the initiative at present. The minister also shared on his social media page a video of zumba practice, a dance-based fitness exercise, from a lower primary school in Malappuram district, where the students were seen dancing in their uniforms. Kerala had earlier this year announced the decision to introduce zumba in schools from this academic year to support students' mental health as part of an anti-drug campaign. The general education department's campaign for 2025-26 had kicked off with a mega display of zumba dance in Thiruvananthapuram, in which 1,500 students participated on 30 April. A press release by the state public relations department issued on 3 May in this regard said the state aims to keep children away from drugs by offering positive and healthy activities, as studies have shown that children with mental health struggles are more likely to be targeted by drug networks. However, the zumba initiative ran into controversy Friday as a few leaders of Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, a Muslim scholarly organisation in the state, came out openly against it and alleged that the exercise was against 'morality'. Though not politically affiliated, the organisation is mostly known for its pro-Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) stand in the state. The state IUML leadership has so far distanced itself from the row. The party is the largest ally of the Congress in Kerala. When asked about the stand on the matter, senior IUML leader and Perinthalmanna MLA Najeeb Kanthapuram said the party had not yet discussed it internally. 'We will respond after studying the matter,' he told ThePrint. He did not respond to the Samastha leaders' views on zumba. Congress leader and Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil Saturday there was no need to start a controversy over the initiative. 'Now, many youngsters are victims of lifestyle diseases. It's important to prioritise physical health at a young age. So, there is no need to start a controversy over an initiative launched to protect our health,' he said. 'Objectionable' On Friday, Samastha leader Nasar Faizy Koodathai wrote in a Facebook post that the zumba initiative was objectionable as it went against the 'moral conscience' of many students. He said the state government should instead focus on improving existing physical training. 'The Kerala government has implemented zumba dance in schools. Zumba is reportedly a style of dance where people wear minimal clothing and dance together to music. If the government mandates even older children to do this, it is objectionable. Instead of improving existing physical training, such indecencies should not be enforced,' he wrote. 'This would be a violation of the individual freedom and fundamental rights of students whose moral conscience does not permit them to display their bodies and dance together,' he added. The initiative was also opposed by Abdussamad Pookkottur, state secretary of Samastha Kerala Sunni Yuvajana Sangham, who said the dance form was against 'moral values'. (Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui) Also Read: 'Bharat Mata' portrait pits LDF against Kerala Governor, again. 'Turning Raj Bhavan into party office'
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Captain or Major? After bypoll win, Congress leaders fight over credit
T'puram/Kozhikode: UDF's win in Nilambur has sparked serious differences within the Congress, with senior leader Ramesh Chennithala voicing his displeasure over opposition leader VD Satheesan being praised as the 'captain' of the bypoll victory. "When I was opposition leader, we won several bypolls. But no one called me a captain," he said. To ease tensions, Satheesan responded, "If I'm called the captain now, then Chennithala is the major of the party." Chennithala said the party learned a key lesson from Nilambur — unity leads to victory. "In Nilambur, the anti-govt sentiment was strong and people clearly demanded change," he said. Chennithala also distanced himself from Satheesan's 'Mission 63' plan for the upcoming assembly election. Satheesan had proposed the strategy to secure 63 winnable seats, but the party hasn't revealed which seats are part of the plan. "Will it be a problem if we win more?" Chennithala asked. On the debate over former LDF-backed MLA PV Anvar's entry into UDF, Chennithala said, "We tried to bring Anvar to our side, but his criticism of our candidate became a problem. We tried to correct him, but he didn't listen. So UDF decided to ignore him." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Direct Shopping From Adidas Franchise Store With 60% Discount Original Adidas Shop Now Undo Asked if the opposition leader would become the chief minister if Congress won the next election, Chennithala said the party high command would take a final call. While Congress leaders have largely aligned with Satheesan's stand opposing Anvar's entry into UDF, IUML leaders have signalled that the door is not totally shut on the former MLA with senior leaders saying that Anvar was a factor in Nilambur bypoll and the votes he secured would come up for discussion. IUML MP ET Mohammed Basheer said Anvar was a factor in Nilambur bypoll as he secured significant votes and it was natural in politics to consider broadening UDF's support base ahead of future elections. "The matter of how to accommodate likeminded people for that is something which has to be discussed," he added. Basheer said there would be more favourable changes in the relations between parties during elections and said that it is something that can be discussed then. "The issue of Anvar's entry will automatically come up for discussions," he added. Senior leader MK Muneer said though he felt that this is not the time to discuss Anvar's entry into the front, the votes he received would come up for discussion. "We are not viewing the over 18,000 votes he secured lightly. Most votes he secured came from the Left. That is not a small number," said Muneer. He added that Anvar's remarks against UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath and Satheesan had created difficulties in reaching a collective decision. "IUML had taken initiatives in this regard at the outset. But we won't do anything that would cause damage to the front," he said. IUML's leadership meeting in Malappuram on Friday will discuss Nilambur election results. After UDF won in Nilambur, Satheesan had said that the front had closed its door to Anvar based on a collective decision and there were no discussions about reopening it at the moment. Anvar, who resigned as the MLA after a fallout with CPM and necessitated the bypoll, made inroads into the vote banks of both fronts. He secured 19,760 votes (11.23%) in the constituency.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Shoukath's Panakkad visit marks shift in IUML-Congress dynamics
Congress State general secretary Aryadan Shoukath, who won the Nilambur Assembly byelection with an impressive margin of 11,077 votes, visited Panakkad, near here, on Tuesday and sought the blessings of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal. Mr. Shoukath's visit to Panakkad was seen as more than a courtesy call to the chief of a major United Democratic Front (UDF) constituent. It was a strategic move that could potentially mark the beginning of a new era in the Congress-IUML relations within the UDF in Malappuram district. Despite decades of partnership, the Congress and IUML have had a strained relationship, particularly in Malappuram district. Historical unease between the two key UDF constituents, fuelled by scepticism among some veteran Congress leaders towards the IUML, had led to friction and even electoral clashes in several panchayats. This even required the UDF leadership to intervene and mediate in the past. Mr. Shoukath's father Aryadan Mohammed, the late Congress stalwart who held his sway in Nilambur for over three decades by winning eight Assembly elections, was known for his vocal criticism of the IUML and the Panakkad Thangal leadership. Aryadan Mohammed had repeatedly criticised the Panakkad Thangals and rejected their claim of supremacy over the Muslim community. Following his father's footsteps and driven by his secular approach, Mr. Shoukath too had adopted a similar critical stance towards the Panakkad Thangals. Thangal's blessings When Mr. Shoukath sought the Thangal's blessings ahead of beginning his campaign on May 27, some stakeholders like P.V. Anvar had attempted to revive past criticisms, potentially trying to stir a controversy. But Mr. Shoukath had shifted his stance and publicly praised the IUML and Panakkad leadership well before the Nilambur byelection. It clearly marked a departure from his past criticism. Soon after the election results on Monday, a triumphant junior Aryadan effusively praised the IUML and its leadership and credited their systematic groundwork in Nilambur months prior to the byelection for his win. Mr. Shoukath's visit to Panakkad as the newly elected MLA seemed to signal a fresh start with the IUML by burying past differences and forging a new relationship. The warm hug with Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal and the convivial body language among Congress and IUML leaders at Panakkad on Tuesday conveyed a renewed sense of camaraderie and warmth in their relationship.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Shoukath prevails in Nilambur, but Anvar steals the show
MALAPPURAM: In an apparent dampener on the CPM's 'Pinarayi 3.0 Loading' campaign, UDF's Aryadan Shoukath romped home beating LDF's M Swaraj with a comfortable margin in Nilambur bypoll, the result of which was announced on Monday. However, it was independent candidate P V Anvar who stole the show with a stunning performance, bagging around 20,000 votes. This is the first time that the LDF has lost a sitting seat in a by-election after the second Pinarayi government assumed office. Anti-incumbency factor was loud and clear in all segments of the constituency, giving heartburn to the CPM that was boasting of the achievements of the LDF government. Shoukath secured lead in almost all the local bodies, except Karulayi panchayat. UDF secured lead right from the first round and steadily increased it as the counting progressed. Anvar, who was forced to jump into the fray after being driven to the wall by the UDF, succeeded in securing votes of both the UDF and the LDF, and came second in booth number one of the Vazhikkadavu panchayat. With this performance, Anvar has once again opened the discussions over his entry into the UDF, which was blocked reportedly by Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan. Midway through the counting, KPCC president Sunny Joseph hinted that the issue is not a closed chapter. IUML state president Panakkad Syed Sadiqali Shihab Thangal quipped that though Anvar had missed the UDF train from the Nilambur station, he can board from any other station. Among all the constituents of the UDF, the IUML will be happier with the result as there were concerns about possible erosion of its votes as Shoukath was not in the good books of the party. But through systematic work at the grassroot level, the IUML ensured Shoukath's victory and proved the party's strength in Malappuram district, its home turf. Equally happy would be Satheesan, who took all the crucial decisions beginning from selecting the candidate to accepting the votes of the Welfare Party, the political arm of the Jamaat-e-Islami. The result has boosted his position in the party and among the possible contenders for the chief minister's post in the event of a UDF victory in the next Assembly polls.
