Uttarakhand Gym Owner 'Mohammad Deepak' Faces Severe "Boycott" After Defending Muslim Shopkeeper, Clients Down to 15

Kotdwar: A local gym owner in Uttarakhand's Kotdwar, Deepak Kumar, who boldly identified himself as "Mohammad Deepak" while protecting a 70-year-old Muslim shopkeeper from harassment, is now reportedly enduring a harsh economic and social backlash that has devastated his business.

Deepak's Hulk Gym, situated on Badrinath Road in Kotdwar, previously attracted around 150 members. Following the incident, membership has drastically declined to only about 15, leaving the establishment nearly deserted. The financial pressure is intense, Deepak said.

He said that he has to pay Rs 40,000 monthly in rent for the gym space and Rs 16,000 toward a home loan instalment. With income severely reduced, his family now depends on his 70-year-old mother's modest tea stall to meet everyday needs.

The controversy erupted on January 26 (Republic Day) when a group, reportedly including members of Bajrang Dal, confronted Vakil Ahmed, the elderly owner of Baba School Dress shop. They objected to the word "Baba" in the shop's name, alleging it could be confused with the nearby Siddhbali Baba temple. Local residents pointed out that numerous other businesses in the area use "Baba" without controversy, raising suspicions that the objection stemmed from Ahmed's Muslim identity rather than the name itself.

When the mob turned aggressive, Deepak stepped in to shield the shopkeeper. Challenged to reveal his name, he defiantly declared, "My name is Mohammad Deepak," in a gesture of solidarity that quickly went viral.

While the act earned Deepak widespread praise online as a symbol of courage and communal harmony, prompting visits and symbolic support from figures like CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, who joined the gym in solidarity, and commendation from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as a "hero of India", it also triggered intense online trolling, hostile media portrayals, and local fear. Many families in the area have become reluctant to enrol their children at the gym.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami criticised the opposition's response, accusing them of practising "appeasement politics" by supporting individuals who, in his words, place "Mohammad" before their "sacred Hindu names." "The party even likes those who put 'Mohammad' before their sacred Hindu names," Dhami remarked.

Despite the hardships, Deepak said that he remains steadfast in his decision.

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