Bhopal Cop Removed Over Communal Gym Entry Remarks

A sub-inspector from Madhya Pradesh Police has been taken off field duty and reassigned to the Police Lines following the emergence of a video in which he allegedly directed a gym owner to deny access to Muslims. The incident took place in the Ayodhya Nagar locality of Bhopal and has sparked widespread reaction.

The officer, Dinesh Sharma, is seen in the video telling the gym operator, “No Muslim will come here to train or take training. I am telling you this clearly.” The footage quickly went viral on social media, prompting a departmental inquiry into his conduct.

Authorities reported that tensions began when members of the Bajrang Dal, a right-wing group, visited the gym and objected to the employment of Muslim trainers. Police were summoned to the location to manage the situation. It was during this intervention that Sharma allegedly made the controversial statement.

A senior official confirmed that Sharma had been deployed to ensure law and order following the arrival of members from pro-Hindutva groups. 

“The SI had reached the spot because the members of the pro-Hindutva organisations turned up, and his presence was necessary to maintain law and order. We are investigating the allegations. Right now, he has been sent to police lines,” the official said.

Following the inquiry, Sharma was officially removed from active field duties on Monday and attached to the Police Lines. Officials emphasised that any act contributing to communal discord would not be tolerated.

In the aftermath, Bhopal’s Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Alok Sharma, told reporters on Sunday that a compilation of gym instructors’ details was underway. “The list of gym trainers will be handed over to the police, who will act according to the law,” he stated. 

He also remarked that women patrons should only be instructed by female trainers.

The incident drew criticism from Congress MLA Arif Masood, who questioned the justification for singling out gym professionals based on their faith. “Is running a gym now a crime? If it’s being run following rules, then what is the problem?” he asked.

The issue has not been limited to Bhopal. Similar objections to Muslim trainers have reportedly surfaced in Indore. This trend is said to have accelerated after the arrest of Mohsin Khan, a shooting coach accused of operating an unauthorised academy and allegedly involved in cases of rape and molestation.

 

(With inputs from agencies)