Dehradun: Months after earning widespread attention for defending a 70-year-old Muslim shopkeeper from communal harassment in Uttarakhand, Deepak Kumar — now known to many as “Mohammad Deepak” — is confronting the possible collapse of the gym he built through years of work.
The controversy began on January 26 when Deepak intervened as a group of men harassed an elderly Muslim shopkeeper suffering from Parkinson’s disease, demanding that he remove the word “Baba” from his shop’s name. When questioned about his identity, Deepak responded, “Mohammad Deepak.” A video of the exchange went viral, transforming him into a symbol of resistance against sectarian intimidation.
The visibility came at a cost. Days later, members of the Bajrang Dal reportedly gathered to confront him before police intervened. What followed, according to Deepak, was an economic boycott. Membership at his gym plummeted from around 150 people to just 15, severely damaging his income. Although solidarity campaigns by lawyers and civil society supporters later helped raise attendance to nearly 70 members a day, the financial blow had already taken its toll.
Unable to pay the gym’s monthly rent of ₹40,000 for four consecutive months, Deepak now faces eviction. He alleges that the landlord indicated reluctance to continue renting the premises because he had “stood up for Muslims.” The financial strain has also disrupted repayments on a housing loan and affected his ability to meet family expenses.
Deepak’s troubles have extended beyond economic hardship. In March, he approached the Uttarakhand High Court seeking the quashing of an FIR against him. While disposing of the petition, the court directed him to cooperate with the investigation and refrain from posting messages or videos on social media.
For Deepak, a moment of solidarity has evolved into a struggle against social isolation, financial pressure and legal uncertainty.