'Campaign For Islamic Nation': What Is 21-Min Fitness Programme At Centre Of Political Row In Kerala?

As the name suggests, the fitness programme has seven categories of workouts like aerobics, simple exercises, yoga, meditation, acupressure, breathing exercises and face massage.

The multi-exercise combination (MEC-7) fitness programme has triggered a political row in Kerala as BJP and CPI(M) have alleged the involvement of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and Jamaat-e-Islami in promoting the workout plan. They have alleged that WhatsApp groups are formed in the name of exercise and women are "dragged" from their households, PTI reported.

As the name suggests, the fitness programme has seven categories of workouts like aerobics, simple exercises, yoga, meditation, acupressure, breathing exercises and face massage.

The 21-minute programme was started in Malappuram in 2012 to help people fight "lifestyle diseases". It has grown into over 1,000 groups mainly in Malappuram and Kozhikode. Thousands of people, including women, in these two districts gather at their local grounds early morning for a fitness session that is free of cost.

There are 63 MEC 7 centres in Malappuram district alone, while Kozhikode has 26 and 28 units are specially dedicated to women, as per Manorama Online. MEC 7 centres have been opened in foreign cities like Jeddah, Dubai, Sharjah and Brunei.

What Is The Controversy?

CPI(M) Kozhikode district secretary Mohanan has alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami and SDPI have "infiltrated" the fitness programme. "The Jamaat-e-Islami and the SDPI are using MEC-7 for their narrow politics. The Jamaat is using it as a shield for its campaign for Islamic nation," he said. Union Minister V Muraleedharan alleged there are sufficient reasons to believe that the PFI, Jamaat-e-Islami, and National Development Front (NDF) are behind the programme.

Mohanan has claimed that this collective operates through WhatsApp groups in which admins are PFI leaders as he called for a detailed investigation into the matter. A Sunni group led by Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musaliyar also backed Mohanan.

Muhammadali Kinalur, Kozhikode district secretary of the Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS), said the intentions behind the seemingly harmless physical exercise appear to be suspicious.

 Bava Arakkal, the ambassador of MEC 7, dismissed the allegations as baseless and said its members come from all religions and classes. "MEC 7 provides a platform for everyone, regardless of caste, religion, or political beliefs," he told a television news channel.