A controversy has erupted in Bhopal following the circulation of a video showing Sub-Inspector Dinesh Sharma instructing a gym owner to prohibit Muslim trainers and trainees from the facility. The video, which quickly went viral, captured Sharma stating, “No Muslim will come here to give or take training. I have made it clear to you.”
The incident occurred in the Ayodhya Nagar area after members of the Bajrang Dal visited a local gym, questioning the presence of Muslim trainers. Police were called to de-escalate the situation, during which Sharma made the controversial comment. In response, senior police officials have launched an internal inquiry into the officer’s conduct.
BJP MP from Bhopal, Alok Sharma, later defended the sub-inspector’s remarks. Speaking to the media, Sharma claimed a list of gyms with Muslim trainers was being compiled as a preventive measure against what he called “love jihad” and “land jihad.” He further asserted that legal action would follow, stating, “Nobody will be permitted for love jihad now… The law will do its work.”
His comments drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders and civil society. Congress MLA Arif Masood condemned the remarks, arguing that working as a gym trainer is not a crime and calling on Sharma to focus on development issues. “People choose their gyms and trainers, not MPs or MLAs,” Masood said.
Journalist Kaushik Raj questioned the communal undertones of the MP’s statements, asking, “Is it a crime for Muslims to work as gym trainers?” Meanwhile, journalist Rohini Singh noted the contradiction between the BJP’s outreach to Muslim nations abroad and what she described as “targeting of minorities” within India.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over right-wing campaigns advocating the economic boycott of Muslims, often under the banner of “love jihad.” Outlets such as The HinduPost have previously published inflammatory content alleging a pattern of sexual exploitation by Muslim gym trainers, claims widely dismissed as propaganda by critics and rights groups.
The controversy has reignited debates over communal rhetoric, religious profiling, and minority rights in India.
