Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur has become the epicenter of a horrifying case where gyms allegedly served as fronts for exploiting young women and pushing forced conversions. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken decisive notice, labeling it a direct assault on human rights and ordering reports from police and administrative heads.
Media investigations uncovered an insidious gang luring over 50 women into this trap, compounded by a police insider’s role, which has severely eroded faith in governance. This incident underscores urgent needs for vigilance in public-facing businesses like fitness centers.
The rights body, chaired by Priyank Kanungo in this context, has leveraged the 1993 Human Rights Act to demand action. Petitioners call for victim rehabilitation, rigorous probes free from interference, punishment for complicit officials, and robust licensing laws for gyms.
To prevent recurrences, NHRC has cast a wide net, requiring reports from every state’s chief secretary on regulatory frameworks for fitness establishments. Sports-related ministries are under mandate to disclose operational guidelines.
Local officials in Mirzapur must report back in a fortnight, with the commission poised to escalate based on findings. This proactive stance signals a zero-tolerance era for exploitation masked as wellness.