Kotdwar police in Uttarakhand have registered multiple FIRs following protests by Bajrang Dal members against a local shop and its defenders, including gym owner Deepak Kumar. The protests erupted after Kumar intervened to protect a Muslim shopkeeper, Wakeel Ahmed, who faced harassment over the name of his shop.
The initial dispute began on January 26 when a group of men allegedly belonging to Bajrang Dal confronted Ahmed, who owns the shop “Baba School Dress,” demanding he remove the word Baba from the shop name. The men claimed that the term Baba should only be used for Hindu religious figures. Deepak Kumar, who runs a gym in Kotdwar, intervened and confronted the mob. In a video of the incident, Kumar identifies himself as Mohammad Deepak, saying he intended to convey that he was an Indian and that everyone is equal before the law.
Following the confrontation, a mob of around 40 people reportedly gathered near Kumar’s gym on January 31, raising slogans, blocking traffic on the national highway, and intimidating police personnel. The protesters then moved toward Baba Dress shop, shouting abusive language and creating communal tension. Police were deployed to disperse the crowd and prevent further escalation.
Police filed three separate FIRs in connection with the incident. One FIR targets 30 to 40 unidentified individuals for obstructing traffic, disturbing communal harmony, and manhandling police. A second FIR was filed based on a complaint by Wakeel Ahmed regarding intimidation and harassment over his shop’s name. The third FIR was lodged by another local resident, Kamal Prasad, against Deepak Kumar and his associates for allegedly using derogatory language and threatening during the January 28 confrontation.
Pauri Garhwal Senior Superintendent of Police Sarvesh Panwar said that an investigation is underway. Authorities are reviewing video footage to identify participants and have deployed additional police personnel to maintain security. Panwar also appealed to residents to maintain communal harmony and avoid further conflict.
Deepak Kumar has received widespread attention on social media for his stance. In a video on Instagram, he said, “I am first and foremost a human being. Our country needs love and affection, not hatred. Spreading love is a very big thing.” Despite threats and online abuse, Kumar has stated that he will not back down.
The police have warned against any attempts to disturb peace in Kotdwar and conducted a flag march on February 1 to maintain security and reassure residents.
