A fresh controversy erupted in Madhya Pradesh after a video went viral showing Sub-Inspector Dinesh Sharma instructing a gym owner in Bhopal’s Ayodhya Nagar to bar Muslim trainers and trainees from the premises. The officer’s statements, perceived as Islamophobic, have drawn criticism from several quarters, even as BJP MP Alok Sharma came out in support of the remarks, reported the India Today.
In the viral video, Sub-Inspector Sharma is heard clearly telling the gym owner, “No Muslim will come here to give or take training. I have made it clear to you.” The directive reportedly came after members of the Hindutva outfit Bajrang Dal visited the gym and raised objections over the presence of Muslim trainers.
Reacting to the incident, BJP MP Alok Sharma defended the sub-inspector’s controversial statement. He claimed that a list of gyms employing Muslim trainers was being prepared to “prevent love jihad and land jihad,” and warned that legal action would follow. “Nobody will be permitted for love jihad now… Even land jihad is going on… This will not work. The law will do its work,” he stated.
The remarks have sparked outrage and concern, particularly over the implications of religious profiling and discrimination in professional spaces. Senior police officials have confirmed that an internal inquiry has been launched against Sub-Inspector Dinesh Sharma.
Congress MLA Arif Masood condemned the BJP MP’s comments, saying, “Opening a gym or providing training is not a crime. If someone is qualified, they should be allowed to work. Suspicion should be followed by investigation, not bigotry.” Urging Sharma to focus on developmental work, he added, “He is the MP of Bhopal, a Bhopali and our friend. He should work on the major development tasks he has been entrusted with.”
Prominent journalists also weighed in. Kaushik Raj questioned the intent behind the MP’s words: “Is it a crime for Muslims to work as gym trainers? What kind of dog whistling is this by an MP?” Journalist Rohini Singh pointed out the hypocrisy in the BJP’s global image-building efforts while allowing such hate-driven actions at home. “Groups of MPs are roaming around in Muslim nations to showcase India’s unity, while BJP MPs here are busy showcasing bigotry and targeting of minorities,” she wrote, adding, “You need an @asadowaisi to speak for India while you target ordinary citizens.”
This incident is part of a broader trend of right-wing campaigns calling for the economic and social boycott of Muslims in India, often amplified by Hindu nationalist groups. These campaigns attempt to economically marginalise Muslims under the guise of addressing alleged concerns like “love jihad.”
One such instance was a propaganda article published by right-wing platform The HinduPost, which made sweeping claims about Muslim gym trainers abusing non-Muslim women, using inflammatory language to stoke communal fears without credible evidence.
Critics warn that such actions and rhetoric deepen divisions, spread Islamophobia, and erode the secular and democratic fabric of the country.
