Overview

• Kerala’s General Education Department suspended teacher T K Ashraf after he publicly denounced the Zumba programme on social media
• Daily 30-minute Zumba classes launched in early June under the Vimukthi Mission are now active in all government schools
• Education Minister V. Sivankutty and CPI(M) leaders have insisted the anti-drug wellness drive will continue and welcomed dialogue with objectors
• Muslim organisations and Hindu nationalist groups maintain objections over mixed-gender dance and perceived Western cultural influence
• Teachers and certified fitness instructors say students have shown notable improvements in physical fitness, mental well-being and confidence