NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday accused Kerala’s ruling Congress of choosing “sharia over Constitution” in response to a youth’s announcement about opening an “Islam-friendly gym.”BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged that the Congress in Kerala is being “pressured” by its ally, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).“In Kerala, Congress is being remote-controlled by IUML. It is allowing sharia-compliant gyms on IUML’s directions. This clearly shows that the Congress has chose sharia over Constitution,” Bhandari said in a video on his X account.“It is proven clearly that because of Muslim appeasement, the Congress party is now keeping Constitution on back, and believing in sharia over Constitution…Because of Muslim appeasement, the Congress party is becoming a threat to security and safety of Hindus in Kerala,” he added.IUML, with 22 MLAs, is the second-largest constituent of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in the southern state. The UDF holds 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala legislative assembly.The controversy centres on a fitness facility in Puthunagaram, in Palakkad district. It recently announced plans to transform itself into an “Islam-friendly gym” operating under “Sharia-based guidelines.”The announcement, which was later deleted, was posted on the Instagram account “Nawaz Muthu T.” It stated that the fitness centre, in operation for the past 15 years, would introduce a new set of rules for its members.Under the proposed guidelines, music would be prohibited inside the facility, separate workout timings would be designated for men and women, and members would be required to follow a dress code ensuring that their “awrah” — body parts that Islamic teachings prescribe should be covered — remains concealed while exercising.The proposed changes also stipulate that men and women would not be allowed to work out together, with separate schedules arranged for each group.Women members would be required to wear attire, including a hijab, that covers the body in accordance with the stated religious guidelines.The announcement has sparked debate, drawing mixed reactions from various quarters. Supporters have described the initiative as an effort to provide a fitness environment that accommodates religious preferences, while critics have questioned the implications and broader impact of operating a gym based on faith-specific guidelines.
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