Hindu Gym Owner Deepak Kumar Faces Threats After Defending Muslim Shopkeeper in Uttarakhand

Intervention Sparks Communal Tension in Kotdwar

Deepak Kumar, a 46-year-old Hindu gym owner from Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, is currently facing significant threats and legal action after intervening to protect an elderly Muslim shopkeeper from a Hindu extremist group. The incident, which occurred on January 26, India's Republic Day, has drawn national attention to the risks faced by individuals who stand against communal vigilantism.

The Incident: 'Baba' Shop Name Sparks Controversy

The confrontation began when a group, identified as members of the Bajrang Dal, targeted 70-year-old Wakeel Ahmed, a Muslim shopkeeper who has operated his establishment, 'Baba School Dress' or 'Baba Collection,' in Kotdwar for nearly three decades. The group objected to the use of the word 'Baba' in the shop's name, claiming it hurt religious sentiments and could only be used for Hindu religious figures. Ahmed, who reportedly suffers from Parkinson's disease, was allegedly pressured to remove the word from his signage. Deepak Kumar intervened, questioning the group's demands and highlighting the shop's long-standing presence. When asked to identify himself by the activists, Kumar famously responded, 'My name is Mohammad Deepak,' a statement he later explained was intended to convey unity and the equality of all Indians before the law.

Escalation and Threats Against Kumar

Following his intervention, a video of the confrontation went viral, thrusting Deepak Kumar into the spotlight and making him a target. He has since reported receiving sustained threats both online and offline. On Saturday, February 1st, the situation escalated further when approximately 150 activists, reportedly from Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Haridwar, converged on Kotdwar. This large group, linked to the Bajrang Dal, staged protests outside Kumar's gym and home, raising slogans and creating what Kumar described as a 'riot-like situation.' Police were deployed to the area, intervening to prevent violence and maintaining a heavy security presence.

Legal Action and Kumar's Resolute Stance

The incident has led to the registration of three First Information Reports (FIRs).

• One FIR was filed based on Wakeel Ahmed's complaint against individuals claiming to be from the Bajrang Dal for threats and intimidation.
• Another FIR was registered by the police against unidentified members of the Bajrang Dal for inciting communal disharmony, obstructing a national highway, and manhandling police personnel.
• A third FIR has been filed against Deepak Kumar and his friend Vijay Rawat, the Youth Congress district president, based on a complaint from a Kotdwar resident.

Despite the threats and legal challenges, Deepak Kumar remains resolute in his stance. He has publicly stated, 'I am not a Hindu, I am not a Muslim, I am not a Sikh, and I am not a Christian. First and foremost, I am a human being.' He further affirmed his commitment, adding, 'I will not back down.'