"Commission should be appointed to examine backward class reservation"

ALAPPUZHA: SNDP Yogam supports the government on the Zumba issue and warns against reservations. The leaders of Yogam and the affiliated organizations, which met in Alappuzha in the presence of General Secretary Vellappally Natesan, approved resolutions calling the government's attention to the need for an uncompromising stance along with attention and vigilance on both issues.

"Reservation, the lifeblood of the backward class, is being sabotaged in Kerala with the connivance of the ones in power. Reservation was conceived with the aim of empowering socially and educationally backward community members. However, today, because the backward class reservation is being given to the unworthy and organized minorities, the opportunities for the backward class members are decreasing, which is protestive. When reservation is cleverly granted to the forward classes, which constitute only one-third of the population, in some areas, the backward class reservation is being subverted." The resolution called on the government to appoint a commission similar to the Mandal Commission to examine whether backward class reservation is being fully implemented in Kerala and to urgently address discrimination and injustice in the reservation system.

Opposition to Zumba is childish

In the resolution, Yogam accused the opposition to Zumba dance, which is being implemented by the government in schools for the health and mental well-being of students, of being childish. "Such stances make the Muslim community a laughing stock in front of society. It is inhumane to promote religion in all areas. The Muslim community should not give in to the antics of some priests in Kerala when even Muslim countries are moving towards progressive thinking. Zumba dance should be seen as one of the ways to save our new generation, who are addicted to alcohol and drugs, from these evils. The government should think of a plan to instill in these people the message of Guru that “Humans should be virtuous, no matter their religion”. It is auspicious that the government has decided to take Zumba dance forward as it was decided. There should be no way of giving in to minority pressures," the resolution demanded.