Political Row Erupts Over MEC 7 Exercise Program, CPI(M), BJP, and Muslim Groups Join Debate

GG News Bureau
Kozhikode, 14th Dec. A physical exercise routine known as Multi-Exercise Combination 7 (MEC 7), which combines various disciplines including Yoga, has triggered a political storm in Kerala, drawing in the CPI(M), BJP, and several Muslim organizations. The workout plan, which has gained popularity in North Kerala, is now at the center of a controversy with allegations of connections to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and Jama’at-e-Islami.

The ruling CPI(M) and certain Muslim groups have raised concerns over the involvement of these organizations in promoting MEC 7, claiming that the program is being used as a cover for ideological motives. BJP leader and former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan has also joined the fray, accusing the PFI, Jama’at-e-Islami, and the National Development Front (NDF) of being behind the initiative. Muraleedharan warned the state to remain vigilant, suggesting that the growing popularity of MEC 7 could have hidden agendas.

The controversy began when CPI(M) Kozhikode district secretary P. Mohanan alleged that Jama’at-e-Islami, with the support of PFI workers, was organizing physical exercise sessions in several areas. Speaking at a public meeting in Taliparamba, Kannur, last month, Mohanan claimed that the exercise sessions were being coordinated via WhatsApp groups, with administrators allegedly linked to PFI leaders. He called for a detailed investigation into the matter.

Following these allegations, the Sunni Muslim community, led by prominent figures like Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musaliyar and Muhammadali Kinalur, expressed concerns over MEC 7. Kinalur, the Kozhikode district secretary of the Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS), described the exercise program as suspicious, while Perode Abdurrahman Saqafi, another Sunni leader, claimed that it was an attempt to undermine Sunni principles under the guise of a physical fitness initiative.

However, the organizers of MEC 7 have vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that the program is inclusive and free from any political or religious agenda. Bava Arakkal, an ambassador for the program, emphasized that MEC 7 is designed for individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their caste, religion, or political beliefs. He explained that the program combines 21 workouts from seven disciplines, including Yoga, aerobics, physiotherapy, deep breathing, acupuncture, meditation, and massage, all aimed at promoting physical well-being.

Arakkal further clarified that the workouts are completed in just 21 minutes, providing a convenient solution for people with busy schedules. He invited critics to join the sessions, which are conducted without any formal registration or promotional activities, such as distributing pamphlets.

Some critics have raised concerns over the formation of WhatsApp groups for MEC 7 and alleged that women are being ‘dragged’ from their households to join the sessions. However, Brasilia Shamsudeen, a leader of the Vanitha League (the women’s wing of the Indian Union Muslim League) and a coordinator of MEC 7, dismissed these claims. Shamsudeen, who is also a woman trainer for the program, stated that people, including women from all religions and political backgrounds, join the program solely for its health benefits.