A comment by a fitness coach and purveyor of sports supplements on the standard Carnival band leaders should set about the look of the women they allow to play mas in their band has resulted in a wave of criticism on social media, and a possible boycott of his services and supplements.

Imran Razac, founder of the St Augustine-based Body by Imran, in a Facebook post on Ash Wednesday suggested that plus-sized women should lose weight before playing mas in order for them to look more presentable in their Carnival costumes. He then offered advice on how they should go about getting a Carnival body.

Many people took to social media accusing Razac of body shaming and discriminating against full-figured women.

[caption id="attachment_748295" align="alignnone" width="768"] Imran Razac[/caption]

Razac responded by saying his post was not meant to offend but to encourage people to get in shape. He said he understands that many women suffer from different types of medical issues, such as polycystic ovary syndrome or diabetes that make it difficult for them to lose weight, but he has helped clients with such health issues achieve their goal – all the while maintaining that excess fat and cellulite have no place in mas.

Razac did not respond to queries seeking further comment by Newsday.

When Sunday Newsday contacted Varma Lakhan, bandleader of Antourage Productions and designer of the 2024 Carnival King and Queen costumes, he said as a bandleader and fitness instructor, specifically spin and aerobics, he does not believe bands should only cater to physically fit people to improve the aesthetic of their bands.

“You can’t tell someone how to feel and what to do when it comes to playing mas. You can’t get size zero people only to play mas, and if bands encourage that, it would be totally wrong. That’s going down a discrimination avenue and he (Razac) is making people feel uncomfortable.”

He said categorising people is wrong and some women are very comfortable with their bodies no matter their size. He said he has seen beautiful plus-sized women playing mas and their size even enhanced the costume’s design.

Another bandleader dismissed Razac’s statements, saying almost everything some people do around Carnival is a marketing strategy, suggesting that with his statements he would reach those he wants to. He said he has no doubt Razac got more clients from the "stunt."

“But at what cost? That probably doesn’t matter to him.”

Comments under Razac's post ranged from guarded agreement to disgust and anger. Some people said he probably meant well with his advice, but described his delivery as insulting. Others advised him to hire a social media manager.

One person said she did not agree with Razac because, even though it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, Carnival is not a fitness conference and masqueraders are not there to serve as eye candy for spectators.

She said some women suffer from a variety of reproductive, medical and genetic issues that cause them to gain weight or have cellulite even if