Overview
- Speaking at a public event in Jat, Maharashtra, Gopichand Padalkar urged Hindu women and girls to skip gyms and practise yoga at home.
- He described gyms as a "big racket" and told attendees to verify trainers' and staff members' backgrounds before trusting them.
- He hinted at alleged "Love Jihad" by claiming a "Jihad mindset" targets young Hindu girls by befriending them at gyms.
- He also called for vigilance on college premises, urging restrictions on visitors without identification and checks on outsiders entering campuses.
- The comments drew widespread criticism on social media, and news outlets report neither Padalkar nor the BJP has responded as of October 17.