Owners seek reopening of gyms, organise protest

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 24

Owners of various gyms today held a protest at Jamalpur chowk on the Ludhiana-Chandigarh road here.

The protesters, representing the Gym Ekta Welfare Association, were holding placards, urging the state government to allow them to open gyms in the district.

Monu Sabharwal, president of the association, said the government had permitted wine shops to open during the lockdown whereas gym and fitness centres were not given permission, forcing many people to shut down their establishments.

He said a few days ago, Varinder Kohli, owner of a gym, had reportedly committed suicide as his business was ruined following the lockdown restrictions imposed by the state government due to Covid-19.

Monu said owners of gym and fitness centres were facing a critical time since they had no source of income. However, they had to pay fee of their wards, electricity bills and rent of their establishments.

He urged the state government to allow them to reopen their centres and help them come out of present crisis.

Amarajeet Singh, Neeraj Sharma, Mintu, Sukesh Pawar and Dalip Singh were among several others who took part in the protest.