Maharashtra BJP MLA asks Hindu women to skip gym to resist 'jihad mindset': 'Do yoga at home if needed'
Mumbai/IBNS: In a controversial remark, Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Gopichand Padalkar has appealed to all Hindu women to avoid gyms out of concern for their safety citing the unknown background of the trainers and other staff.
During his address in Beed, Padalkar said as quoted by Financial Express, "This gym and all is a big racket. You all don’t know it. I urge all the girls and women from the Hindu community, please don’t go to the gym.
"I join my hands and kneel on your legs, but please don’t go to the gym. Do yoga at home if needed. You don’t know the trainers’ or gym staff’s backgrounds. At least verify it before."
Without taking any name, the Jat MLA accused members of another community of luring women.
Padalkar had referred to the "love jihad" cases claiming members of the other community are targeting Hindu women and befriending them.
He called it a "Jihad mindset".
The BJP leader has also asked the authorities to remain alert over outsiders entering the college premises.
Though the remark has drawn sharp criticisms with some accusing Padalkar of creating a communal divide, the MLA is yet to respond to the flak.
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