Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Jat MLA Gopichand Padalkar has once again landed in controversy after his recent remarks during a public event in Jat on Thursday. Speaking from the stage, Padalkar urged women and girls from the Hindu community not to visit gyms. Instead, he suggested they practice yoga at home, claiming it to be a safer and better alternative.
In his speech, Padalkar stated, “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.”
गोपीचंद पडळकरांच्या विधानानंतर पुन्हा नव्या वादाला सुरुवात
किती हिंदू मुलींना हे मान्य होईल? pic.twitter.com/9QS6uaZOjw
— Shekhar (@Shekharcoool5) October 15, 2025
Hint at ‘love jihad’ allegations
While addressing the gathering in Beed district, the BJP MLA made indirect references to another community, suggesting that some individuals were “luring women” under false pretenses.
Though he did not mention any group directly, his comments hinted at alleged “Love Jihad” cases. Padalkar claimed that a so-called “Jihad mindset” was targeting young Hindu girls by befriending them at gyms.
Extending his argument, Padalkar urged authorities and communities to stay alert about outsiders entering college premises. “Youth visiting colleges without identification details should be spotted and restricted from entering. We need to create a strong deterrence,” he said.
Padalkar’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from several quarters, with many accusing him of promoting communal divisions under the guise of protecting women. This isn’t the first time the MLA has made controversial statements, his earlier comments, too, have triggered backlash from Christian and Muslim communities.
As of now, MLA Gopichand Padalkar has not issued any clarification or responded to the growing criticism over his recent statement.
