It was 26 January; the air was filled with Republic Day celebrations and the awning of the shops decorated with the country’s flag, symbolic of unity and diversity. Streets of Uttarakhand’s Gokhle area were buzzing with happiness, laughter, and giggles until a group allegedly belonging to Bajrang Dal punctuated the tranquility.
The group consisting of 7–8 people targeted Baba School Dress and Matching Centre on Gokhle Road. The owner, Wakeel Ahmed, a 70-year-old man, was asked to remove the word ‘Baba’ from his shop’s name, claiming that it referred to Baba Sidhbali, who is linked to a prominent Lord Hanuman temple in the town.
The owner, Ahmed, was met with abuse and assault, drawing a growing crowd. A 43-year-old man, Deepak, who runs a gym called “Hulk Gym,” was also present where the incident unfolded—but he did not remain a silent spectator. What followed would come to define the story of “Mohammad Deepak.”
He moved forward to intervene and stop the mob from assaulting the elderly shopkeeper.
“I was sitting in the shop next door. When I got up and came out, I saw that Baba was being attacked. I tried to talk to them because an elderly man was being assaulted,” Deepak told FoEJ Media.
“When I tried to stop them, they asked me, ‘Who are you? What is your name?’” he said.
To this repeated question, Deepak replied that he was speaking from the side of humanity.
“The mob asked me my name. I said, ‘What does my name have to do with this?’ But when they kept insisting, I replied, ‘My name is Muhammad Deepak.’” he said.
The statement, captured on camera, made rounds on the internet, gaining compliments for the bravery of “Muhammad Deepak.” On the other hand, it attracted negativity too, creating pandemonium in Deepak’s life.
Originally named using the surname “Kumar,” Deepak chose to say “Muhammad” instead to give the message that he is against the atrocities that have befallen the Muslim community in recent days.
“I am a Hindu, but I am against the oppression of Muslims. Oppression against anyone—Hindu or Muslim—is something I stand against,” Deepak said.
“I chose the name ‘Muhammad’ to show that even as a Hindu, I stand against this injustice,” he added.
Days after the incident, on 30th January, when the matter seemed to have settled down, another post made rounds on the internet—but this time, it was a threat.
“A post was made from the Bajrang Dal saying that they would come and teach me a lesson.” Deepak said.
“I submitted that post at the police station so that the situation could be handled.” he added.
“Then on the 31st, Bajrang Dal members came—around 200–300 people gathered outside my gym, shouting abuses and creating a ruckus.” Deepak said.
“Since then, my entire life has changed.” he said.
Three FIRs have been registered so far: one on the complaint of Wakeel Ahmed, the shopkeeper who was harassed; another on the complaint of a Kotdwar resident against Deepak and his friend Vijay Rawat—who was with him on January 26 and is also seen in the video; and a third filed by the police against unknown members of the Bajrang Dal.
“I don’t understand why an FIR was filed against me. Perhaps it’s because I stood up for humanity.” Deepak said.
FIR has been registered against Deepak, under Sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 191(1) (rioting), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 352 (breach of peace).
The prime earner of the family, Deepak, was forced to keep his gym closed for days, resulting in the collapse of the livelihood.
“Our household runs on the income from my gym. Since then, the gym has remained closed, and we are struggling to manage daily expenses.” he said.
Deepak comes from a modest background, with a mother, daughter, and wife in the family. His father passed away 15 years ago. He has been running a gym for nearly 30 years, which now faces a halt in livelihood due to the fear among people. Despite the hardship, Deepak is elated that he chose to stand for humanity rather than ignoring the matter.
“I did not want to fall in my mother’s eyes. She has taught me since childhood to stand against injustice. She feels proud that I raised my voice,” he said.
The household expenses are currently being managed through his mother’s tea stall.
“Right now, the household expenses are being managed through my mother’s tea stall, but I am hopeful that things will get better in the future,” he said.
Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari on Tuesday announced that he would give ₹2 lakh from his salary to Deepak Kumar of Kotdwar as a token of appreciation.
“I have said this before—our fight is not against any Indian. Our fight is against that British mindset that ruthlessly crushed, killed, and enslaved our ancestors. Deepak has revived the true meaning of freedom and the spirit of that struggle today,” Ansari said.
