Bhopal cop faces probe for ordering 'ban' on Muslim trainers in gym

BHOPAL: A Bhopal police officer was removed from active duty and attached to the lines on Monday after a video surfaced showing him instructing a gym owner to bar Muslim trainers and trainees from his facility.

The incident took place a few days ago in Ayodhya Nagar area of Bhopal, when Bajrang Dal members visited a gym and objected to the presence of Muslim trainers, say police sources. Police were called in to manage the situation, and SI Dinesh Sharma Sharma was among the officers who responded.

In the video going around on social media, Sharma is seen addressing the gym owner, and saying: "No Muslim will come here to give or take training. I have made this clear to you."

The footage sparked outrage and criticism.

Gym trainers row: Cop who ordered 'ban' line attached
Senior police officers took note of the video and initiated an internal inquiry into Sharma's conduct. He was subsequently relieved of field duties and sent to the lines pending further investigation.

To make it worse, Bhopal MP and BJP leader Alok Sharma seemed to defend the sub-inspector's remarks. ANI quoted him as saying that a "list of Muslim trainers would be given to police".

Speaking to local media on Sunday, Sharma said that a "list of gym instructors" in the city had been compiled and insisted that women clients should be trained exclusively by female instructors. "The list of gym trainers will be handed over to police, who will act according to the law. Love jihad cannot be allowed," the MP told the media.