A man from Kashmir’s Bijbehara offered land and support to Deepak Kumar, the Uttarakhand gym owner who became widely known as “Mohammad Deepak” for standing up to a mob harassing an elderly Muslim shopkeeper.
Mohammad Amin, a resident of Bijbehara in south Kashmir, announced that he is gifting five marla of land to Deepak as a mark of respect for his courage. Amin also said that Deepak is welcome to Kashmir and that he would personally sponsor his visit.
“He is our brother. He stood for humanity, and I salute him and his family,” Amin said. “He did not think that he was Hindu, and the man being attacked is Muslim. He only stood for what was right. This is about upbringing. His parents raised him well. Till people like Deepak are alive, the world will live on.”
The gesture comes amid ongoing communal tension in Uttarakhand’s Kotdwar town, where a dispute over the name of a small clothing shop escalated into protests, police action, and political controversy.
The issue began when Bajrang Dal members objected to a shop owned by Mohammad Shoaib operating under the name Baba. They claimed that the word Baba is linked to Siddhbali Baba, a popular Hanuman temple in Kotdwar, and said its use by a Muslim shopkeeper hurt religious sentiments. Shoaib initially said he would consider changing the name after shifting the shop.
In mid-January, Shoaib relocated his shop a short distance away but continued using the same name, which led to renewed protests. Tensions peaked on January 28 when Bajrang Dal activists clashed with Shoaib and others outside the shop.
During the confrontation, Deepak Kumar intervened to stop the harassment. When protesters questioned his identity, he responded by saying, “My name is Mohammad Deepak.” The video of the moment went viral, turning him into a symbol for many who saw his act as a stand against communal pressure.
Later, Deepak clarified his statement, saying, “I am Hindu and proud of my religion, but before that, I am Indian. If we treat each other as enemies, how will the country move forward?”
Following the incident, protests intensified and spread on social media. On January 31, more demonstrators gathered outside the shop, some reportedly coming from outside Kotdwar. Police deployed additional forces, conducted flag marches, and tightened security at entry points to prevent escalation.
Kotdwar police registered three FIRs, including one against unidentified protesters for disturbing public peace and one against Deepak and his associates based on counter-complaints. Authorities later announced that the shop would continue operating under the name Baba and warned against any attempt to disturb communal harmony.
The fallout has deeply affected Deepak’s personal life. His gym remained shut for several days, causing financial losses. He also expressed concern for the safety of his wife, mother, and young daughter.
