Mohammad Deepak Stands Firm Amid FIRs and Protests After Defending Shopkeeper in Uttarakhand
In the quiet town of Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, a simple act of courage has sparked a storm of controversy and legal battles. Deepak Kumar, a 37-year-old gym owner now widely known as "Mohammad Deepak", finds himself at the center of a heated debate after standing up against harassment targeting a Muslim shopkeeper. Despite facing multiple FIRs and protests from right-wing groups, Deepak remains unwavering in his conviction, asserting that "someone has to speak up" in the face of injustice.
The Incident That Changed Everything
On January 26, 2026, Deepak witnessed a group of men harassing a 70-year-old Muslim shopkeeper who suffers from Parkinson's disease. The men were demanding that the shopkeeper remove the word "Baba" from his shop's name, a confrontation that Deepak could not ignore. He stepped in to defend the elderly man, and a video of the incident quickly went viral on social media, catapulting Deepak into the national spotlight.
The video not only brought him admiration but also unwanted attention. On Saturday, members of the Bajrang Dal gathered outside his gym, Hulk Gym, intending to confront him. Police intervention prevented a violent clash, but the tension in Kotdwar remained palpable. By Monday, the area was heavily guarded, with police screening vehicles and restricting entry to Deepak's gym, highlighting the escalating situation.
Legal Repercussions and Police Scrutiny
So far, three FIRs have been filed in connection with the incident:
- One on the complaint of Vakeel Ahmed, the shopkeeper who was harassed.
- One on the complaint of a Kotdwar resident against Deepak and his friend Vijay Rawat, who was present during the confrontation.
- One by the police against unknown persons from the Bajrang Dal.
Deepak expressed confusion over the FIR filed against him and Rawat, stating that they had provided videos and identified those who abused them. "I still don't understand why they would register an FIR against us," he said, emphasizing that his actions were aimed at restoring peace. The police have been summoning him regularly, and while Senior Superintendent of Police Sarvesh Panwar appealed for peace, Deepak feels that outsiders are disrupting the town's harmony.
Personal Toll and Community Reactions
The fallout has taken a personal toll on Deepak and his family. His wife, Meenakshi Bisht, sent their five-year-old daughter to her mother's home due to the stress and potential danger. Bisht noted that while Deepak's friends have stood by him, neighbors have avoided offering comfort, leading to a sense of isolation. Deepak admitted this but remains proud of his actions, saying his mother, though scared, never discouraged him.
Community reactions in Kotdwar are mixed. Some, like shopkeeper Mahender Agarwal, believe Deepak should have minded his own business, arguing that the Bajrang Dal's reaction was inevitable. Others, like Manish Ghansyal, feel the incident could have been resolved without Deepak's intervention. However, Deepak's friend Vijay Rawat, who is also the Youth Congress district president, argued that the FIR has only strengthened public support for their cause.
A Resolute Stand for Equality
Despite the challenges, Deepak stands firm. "I said my name was Mohammad Deepak because it was the right thing to do," he declared, adding that he is accountable only to god and that defending someone based on religion was a humane act. He remains unfazed by the protests and legal hurdles, driven by a belief in equal rights for all Indians.
As tensions simmer in Kotdwar, Deepak's story raises broader questions about justice, community solidarity, and the price of speaking out. With police promising legal action against any wrongdoing, the situation continues to unfold, but Deepak's message is clear: if one voice is stifled, another will rise.
