Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday met Deepak Kumar, a gym owner from Kotdwar in Uttarakhand who gained widespread attention after confronting Bajrang Dal members allegedly harassing an elderly Muslim shopkeeper over his store’s name.
Deepak, who has since been dubbed “Mohammad Deepak” for his act of solidarity, stepped in when Bajrang Dal activists targeted 70-year-old Vakil Ahmed, whose clothing store on Patel Marg operates under the name ‘Baba’. The right-wing group had objected to the name, claiming ‘Baba’ was a Hindu term, and staged a protest outside the shop in January demanding Ahmed rename it.
Clashes broke out between the protesters, Ahmed, and Deepak a close friend of Ahmed’s son leading to police intervention. Authorities subsequently registered three separate FIRs in connection with the incidents.
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Following the meeting, the Indian National Congress shared photographs of Gandhi with Deepak on X, writing, “Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi met ‘Mohammad Deepak’ from Uttarakhand. Mohammad Deepak has set an example of unity, brotherhood, and courage one that will inspire every young person in the country to stand against injustice and hatred.” The post further described Deepak as “a warrior of the ‘Mohabbat ki dukaan’,” adding that “the entire nation is proud of him.”
Tensions surrounding the episode resurfaced after a video circulated by the Hindu Raksha Dal showed a man threatening to march to Kotdwar on February 12 to “teach Deepak a lesson.” The local administration responded by tightening security in the area. Additional Superintendent of Police Chandra Mohan Singh stated that no one would be permitted to disturb peace in the town and warned of strict action against anyone attempting to incite trouble.
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