NHRC issues notice to Centre, states over alleged sexual exploitation, religious conversion in gyms

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• NHRC issues notices to states, UTs, sports bodies over gym misconduct concerns
• Allegations include exploitation, unsafe practices, and unregulated supplements.
• NHRC demands gym regulation reports and stricter oversight within two weeks

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What were once scattered complaints about misconduct inside neighbourhood gyms have now converged into a nationwide human rights concern.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken note of rising unease around fitness centres, with allegations ranging from sexual exploitation to unsafe and unregulated practices.

Acting on several representations, the Commission has issued notices to all State governments, Union Territories, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, and sports authorities, asking them to spell out what rules, policies or registration norms exist for gyms and fitness clubs.

NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said the issue was no longer isolated. “Numerous cases of sexual exploitation of women/girls/adolescent girls targeted by trainers in gyms and fitness clubs have come to light at various places across the country,” he stated, pointing to the vulnerability of young women and minors in loosely monitored spaces.

Beyond personal safety, Kanoongo also drew attention to the physical dangers linked to unregulated training and questionable products. “Additionally, from a health perspective as well, substandard food supplements and uncontrolled physical activities also pose a threat to human life,” he said.

The Commission, he added, has called for information so that “steps can be taken in the direction of controlling unethical activities in this sector”.

A complaint from Mirzapur

Among the matters that triggered wider scrutiny is a complaint from Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district. Filed on January 28 by Aniruddha Keshre of Madhya Pradesh, it alleges that an “organised racket” was being run “under the cover of a gym and fitness centre” to target young women for “exploitation and forced religious conversion”.

Citing media reports, the complainant claimed that several women were allegedly targeted and further alleged that a “police personnel was directly involved”.

Such claims, the proceedings note, raise concerns about “abuse of authority, failure of law enforcement and violation of human rights, women’s safety and religious freedom”.

The plea before the Commission sought “an independent and impartial investigation, protection and rehabilitation of victims, strict action against the involved police personnel, and formulation of nationwide guidelines and regulatory oversight for gyms and fitness centres to prevent such exploitation”.

A bench of the NHRC, presided over by Kanoongo, has “taken cognisance” of the complaint under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, observing that the allegations, prima facie, appear to be “violations” of the human rights of the victims.

What the NHRC has asked for

The Commission’s registry has directed that notices be sent to the chief secretaries of all States and Union Territories, seeking reports on “guidelines/ policy/ registration norms and standards for gym establishment/ fitness centres, etc”.

At the central level, a notice has gone to the “secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Department of Sports, with directions to submit a report regarding any guidelines/ policy/ registration norms for gyms/ fitness centres etc”. The director general of the Sports Authority of India has also been asked to provide details on specifications and licensing requirements for opening a gym or fitness centre.

Closer to the ground, a copy of the Mirzapur complaint has been forwarded to the district magistrate and superintendent of police with directions to have the allegations inquired into and to submit a report. Responses from all authorities have been sought within two weeks for the Commission’s consideration.

Together, the accounts reveal a picture of a sector under intense scrutiny, as concerns about safety, dignity and health inside fitness spaces push the NHRC to examine whether stronger oversight is urgently needed.