NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday met Uttarakhand’s Kotdwar-based gym owner Deepak Kumar, or “Mohammad Deepak,” who confronted Bajrang Dal members allegedly harassing an elderly Muslim shopkeeper over the use of ‘Baba’ — which the right-wing group claimed was a Hindu term — in his shop name.In a social media post on X, Indian National Congress shared photos of Rahul along with Deepak and said, “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.” “Deepak is a warrior of the ‘Mohabbat ki dukaan’ — the entire nation is proud of him,” it added.In January, Bajrang Dal activists staged a protest outside the ‘Baba’ clothing store on Patel Marg, demanding that its 70-year-old owner, Vakil Ahmed, change the shop’s name.Clashes broke out between the protesters, Ahmed, and Deepak, who is a friend of Ahmed’s son, prompting police intervention. The situation was brought under control, and police later registered three separate FIRs in connection with the incidents. Tensions flared again after a video circulated by the Hindu Raksha Dal showed a man threatening to march to Kotdwara on February 12 to “teach Deepak a lesson.”The local administration stepped up security to prevent further escalation. Additional Superintendent of Police Chandra Mohan Singh said no one would be allowed to disturb peace in the town and warned of strict action against those attempting to incite trouble.
