'No Muslim Will Give Or Take Training In Gym': Bhopal Cop's Video Triggers Row, BJP MP Supports, Cong Slams
A video from Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal has surfaced on social media, showing Sub-Inspector Dinesh Sharma making a controversial remark during an interaction with a gym owner. In the footage, Sharma is heard instructing the owner to prohibit the entry of Muslim trainers and trainees at the facility.
The incident took place when Bajrang Dal workers visited a gym in the Ayodhya Nagar area, seeking details of Muslim trainers from the gym operator. The incident, which took place 3–4 days ago, came to wider public attention after a video from the scene surfaced on social media.
In the video, a police sub-inspector, identified as Dinesh Sharma, can be heard saying, “No Muslim will come here to give or take training. I have made that clear to you.” The video has since gone viral, prompting senior police officials to take cognisance of the matter. The police have now launched an investigation into the incident, Aaj Tak reported.
BJP MP Backs Bhopal Cop's Remark, Congress Says 'Opening Gym, Providing Training Not A Crime'
Meanwhile, BJP MP from Bhopal, Alok Sharma, made a statement in support of the cop. He expressed concerns about Muslim gym trainers and claimed that a list of trainers in Bhopal has been made. He also demanded that women clients should be assigned only female trainers, India Today reported.
Drawing parallels with Indore, Sharma stated, “Just like the right steps were taken in Indore, now we are gathering information in Bhopal and will soon hand over the list of gym trainers to the police. The government will act as per the law, but we too will fulfil our responsibilities. No one will be given the freedom to commit love jihad.”
The MP further asserted that Bhopal is not just a city of Nawabs or any one community. “This is the land of Emperor Ashoka, Chandragupta Maurya, the Parmar dynasty, and Queen Kamlapati,” he said, as per Amar Ujala. He demanded renaming of institutions such as Obaidia School, Rashidia School, Sultania Janana Hospital, and Hamidia Hospital after Indian historical figures, alleging that the existing names were politically motivated. “If I speak the truth, why does it offend people? One can treat the eyes, not the mindset. Try to understand the difference,” Sharma remarked.
He also took a dig at the local administration, stating, “A single law must apply across Bhopal. No one is in Pakistan; everyone is in India – whether it is Qazi Camp or any other area.” He urged officials including the Collector, Police Commissioner, Additional SP and SDM to step out of their offices and be more active in the field.
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.”
On Sharma’s call for renaming institutions, Masood responded, “We are not concerned with names, we are concerned with work.” He also opposed the early closure of markets, noting, “If the rule allows markets to remain open till 11 PM, then everything should run according to that. No one can stop that.”
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