Latest news with #anti-drug
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Kerala: Indian state defends Zumba plan amid protests from religious groups
The southern Indian state of Kerala has defended its decision to introduce Zumba classes in public schools, after the move sparked protests from religious groups. Some 14,000 state-run schools in Kerala have been asked to organise daily Zumba sessions as part of an anti-drug campaign launched by the government last month. The decision has been bitterly opposed by some Hindu and Muslim organisations in the state, who claim the dance is a form of "cultural invasion". Some of them are urging parents and teachers to boycott the programme, saying it goes against their religious beliefs and moral values as Indians. As protests intensified last week, the government has clarified it will not roll back the programme, saying that "religion should not be mixed with education". "Those who are protesting are proving themselves to be more dangerous than any drug problem," V Sivankutty, the state's education minister, told the BBC. Sivankutty added that though schools have been asked to introduce Zumba into the curriculum, classes would still be optional for the students. "It is not like we are forcing anyone - you can always opt out if you want," he said. Protests first began when the Kerala government introduced a slew of measures to counter the growing use of drugs among school students last month. These include enhanced surveillance around campuses, new awareness campaigns and rehabilitation programmes for students, along with Zumba lessons. Under the guidelines, all state-run schools have been asked to hire trained Zumba instructors to hold daily sessions for the students. The curriculum and its schedule, they said, should be designed keeping in mind the convenience of both students and move was deeply opposed by the Samstha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulema, an influential organisation of Muslim clerics in the state, which manages hundreds of religious group's spokesperson Nasar Faizy Koodathai told the BBC that boys and girls dancing together, in what he described as "vulgar" attire, was unacceptable. "Zumba contradicts Indian moral values as it requires students to wear tight clothing and dance closely together. This should not be accepted," he said. The Bharatiya Vichara Kendram, a right-wing organisation which describes itself as a group of "Hindu intellectuals", echoed this a statement earlier this week, the organisation's Director, R Sanjayan, called Zumba a "foreign" import and said that imposing it on students in the name of combating drug use was "malicious"."There are ulterior motives behind the promotion of foreign cultural exports like Zumba by the government, which has made no effort to enrich or protect our traditions," he said, adding that parents and students should oppose the rule because it goes "against the uniqueness of the country".The government has rejected all the allegations. "The idea is to encourage students to start a new fitness journey for a healthier lifestyle - and nothing else ," said Sivankutty. Besides, the guidelines make it clear that students will have to wear their school uniforms during the sessions, leaving no scope for "inappropriate dressing", he said. "In schools, light exercise is always encouraged and children always wear uniforms for these sessions."The government's sole aim, he added, is to encourage healthy habits in children. "Engaging in sports promotes mental and physical vitality, health, and positive thinking in children, which can enhance their academic performance and personal development."Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook
South China Morning Post
20-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
China ready to fight fentanyl, illegal immigration with US, top police chief says
China has expressed willingness to work with the United States on anti-drug efforts and the repatriation of illegal immigrants – two priorities for US President Donald Trump – but urged 'mutual respect' from Washington. The remarks were made in a meeting between Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and US ambassador to China David Perdue in Beijing on Thursday. Wang said Beijing was willing to work with Washington and hoped the US could ' meet China halfway , uphold an attitude of equality, respect each other's concerns, and contribute positive energy to the development of bilateral relations', according to state news agency Xinhua. 'We stand ready to engage in practical collaboration with the US in law enforcement areas such as counter-narcotics and the repatriation of illegal immigrants , striving to achieve outcomes that benefit the people of both countries,' Wang was quoted as saying. According to Xinhua, Perdue said he was willing to serve as a communicator and promoter of US-China relations and to advance exchanges and cooperation in areas such as drug control law enforcement. Last year, Beijing and Washington held several meetings to discuss closer cooperation, and law enforcement agencies on both sides have set up anti-drug hotlines to share information.
CNA
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Singapore bans Wild Rice performance Homepar for undermining anti-drug policy and public confidence in CNB
SINGAPORE: The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said on Friday (Jun 20) it had banned a performance by theatre company Wild Rice for undermining anti-drug policy and public confidence in the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). A revised script for a dramatised reading, titled Homepar, was submitted on Jun 5, with IMDA assessing it to be in breach of the Arts Entertainment Classification Code (AECC). This was done in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), it added. IMDA noted that the revised script had "substantially changed" from the version that was submitted on Apr 21. "The new material depicts and glamorises drug abuse and portrays an undercover CNB officer shielding abusers from detection," it said. "It undermines Singapore's anti-drug policy, our drug rehabilitation regime, and public confidence in the CNB. Performances that undermine Singapore's national interest are not permitted under the AECC." IMDA said it had previously informed Wild Rice that the earlier script submitted met classification requirements and could be staged under an R18 rating. "However, Wild Rice has chosen not to revert to that version," the authority added. "Consequently, IMDA has disallowed the performance in its current form." IMDA reiterated that Singapore's firm stance against drugs remains unchanged, and it will continue to uphold the AECC to "protect national interest". According to a synopsis on the Wild Rice website, Homepar - a reference to house parties in the gay party scene - is about a protagonist who hosts one such party to "power through a tough break-up and celebrate their evolving gender identity".
