'No one has asked children to wear revealing clothes’: V. Sivankutty defends Zumba controversy

Kozhikode: Kerala's State Education Minister V. Sivankutty has vehemently defended the implementation of sports activities like Zumba, Aerobics, and Yoga in state schools, labelling objections to these programs as "a poison more dangerous than drugs." Speaking at a press conference in Kozhikode, the Minister clarified that participation in government-directed learning processes, including physical activities, is mandatory for children under the Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTF) rule, leaving no room for parental choice.

The Minister directly addressed concerns about dress codes, stating emphatically that "no one has asked children to wear revealing clothes" and that students perform these light exercises in their standard school uniforms. He highlighted that these physical activities are integral to broader drug awareness programs and crucial for children's holistic development.

Sivankutty condemned the opposition, asserting that such stances "inject a poison more dangerous than drugs into society" and serve to "provide fertilizer for communalism and divisiveness" rather than improving education. He drew a parallel to international sporting events like the Olympics, where specific dress codes are adhered to, emphasizing that school activities are merely light exercises.

He contrasted the current protests in Kerala with "progressive movements" that supported democratic cultural stances against dress code suppression, including the hijab, in other parts of India. The Minister criticized some movements in Kerala for adopting positions that favour "majority communalism," in a harmoniously living society.

The Minister stressed the comprehensive benefits of sports, including fostering mental and physical energy, improving health, and developing positive thinking. These factors, he noted, significantly influence learning and personality development. Health and physical education are already mandatory subjects in Kerala's public education system from Class 1 to 10, with a vision centred on "healthcare through physical education."

The Minister concluded by reiterating that regular engagement in diverse, long-duration sports activities, including various dance forms, is highly beneficial for improving cardiorespiratory endurance and overall well-being.

A recent controversy has erupted in Kerala's education sector concerning the mandatory inclusion of physical activities like Zumba, where certain groups have voiced strong objections predominantly revolving around perceived issues with dress codes or modesty.