Bhopal cop asks gym to bar entry of Muslims; BJP MP backs him over 'love jihad' fears

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A police officer in Bhopal has been removed from active duty after a video emerged showing him asking a gym owner to ban Muslim trainers and clients. The video, now viral, has led to public anger and an official police inquiry.

The incident happened a few days ago in the Ayodhya Nagar area in Bhopal. Members of the Bajrang Dal had gone to a local gym and objected to the presence of Muslim trainers. The police were called in to handle the situation. Sub-Inspector Dinesh Sharma was among the officers who arrived at the spot, according to a report by The Times of India.

In the 40-second video clip, Sharma is seen sitting with Bajrang Dal members and clearly telling the gym owner, “Let me tell you clearly, no Muslim will come here (to the gym), neither for imparting training nor getting trained.”

After the video went viral, the Bhopal Police began an internal investigation. Sharma was taken off active duty and sent to the police lines while the inquiry is underway.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Mahavir Singh confirmed the probe and Sharma’s removal from field duty. “Action will be taken based on the inquiry’s findings,” he was quoted by The New Indian Express as saying.

Meanwhile, Bhopal MP and BJP leader Alok Sharma came in support of the sub-inspector. He reiterated concerns over Muslim gym trainers and claimed that a list of trainers in Bhopal has been compiled. He added that women clients should be assigned only female trainers.

“The list will be given to the police for legal action. Under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s leadership, Love Jihad and Land Jihad will not be allowed in Madhya Pradesh,” he said.

In response, Congress MLA Arif Masood criticised the MP’s comments. “Opening a gym or providing training is not a crime. If someone is trained, they will provide training. If there’s any suspicion, then investigate it. People choose their gyms and trainers, not MPs or MLAs,” he said. Masood called on Sharma to act more responsibly, adding, “He is the MP of Bhopal, a Bhopali and our friend. He should work on the major development tasks he has been entrusted with,” he was quoted by ABP Live as saying.

These remarks were made after the recent arrest of Mohsin Khan, an Indore-based shooting academy operator, who has been accused of molesting a female trainee under the guise of providing rifle shooting practice, according to a report by India Today.

Bajrang Dal activists alleged that Mohsin Khan was "a predator trapping innocent Hindu daughters" and claimed that data found on his phone revealed over 150 Hindu girls had been targeted in a similar manner.