Deepak Kumar, a 46-year-old gym owner who recently confronted a group of members of a right-wing organization harassing an elderly Muslim shopkeeper in Uttarakhand’s Kotdwar, says his actions are rooted in Sanatan Dharma and the Bhagavad Gita.
Deepak Kumar told HT that his work is rooted in India’s spiritual and cultural heritageA case has been registered against Kumar based on the complaint of a resident of Kotdwar, who alleged that Kumar hurled caste-based slurs and attacked him with the intention of killing him during the clash on January 26, when the matter started. This was the third police case with this episode.
Kumar told HT over phone that his actions are rooted in India’s spiritual and cultural heritage, which teaches people to uphold truth and oppose discrimination.
“Our Sanatan tradition teaches us Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – that the world is one big family. There is no room for hatred against anyone. The Gita teaches us to fight for truth and against any kind of injustice. That’s exactly what I did when I stood by the elderly Muslim shopkeeper and opposed those who were harassing him,” he said to change the name of his shop.
“If people really understood the meaning of Sanatana Dharma, they would never have indulged in such actions,” he added.
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Kumar, a gym owner in Kotdwar, has seen his life change in recent days. His Facebook followers grew from a few thousand to 570,000, receiving thousands of messages and calls from across the country.
“It’s overwhelming, the love and support I’m getting from people across India. People are calling me, sending messages. I just want to tell them that I did this because our Indian traditions and values teach us to respect everyone and live in harmony,” he said.
Yet the spotlight brought concern for his family.
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“My family is worried. My daughter, who studies in lower kindergarten, is unable to go to school due to fear in this charged environment. My gym has also been closed for the past few days. My wife and mother are worried. I am not worried about myself, but about my family, who are struggling to cope with what is happening,” he said.
Kumar said his 70-year-old mother ran a small tea stall in the local market since his father’s death more than 15 years ago. “For the past two decades, I have been working hard to support my family by running this gym in a rented space. My mother still runs a tea stall. I am proud of the values she taught me,” he said.
The dispute started in Kotdwar on January 26, when Kumar intervened in a dispute over Wakil Ahmed’s shop, ‘Baba School Dress and Matching Centre’, on Gokhale Road.
A group of right-wing activists alleged that the 70-year-old shopkeeper wanted to remove the word ‘Baba’ from the name of his shop, claiming it referred to Baba Siddhabali, who is associated with a prominent Lord Hanuman temple in the city.
According to Kumar, the staff ignored the shopkeeper’s explanation that the name had no religious meaning and stood for decades. “Father is used even for old people, children and dignitaries,” he said.
When Kumar intervened, he told the group, “My name is Mohammad Deepak”, in a gesture of unity against communal targeting.
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Tensions escalated on Saturday when Bajrang Dal activists protested outside Kumar’s gym in the presence of police, demanding his exit. The state police registered a case on January 26 and a second case for the protest outside Deepak Kumar’s gym on Saturday.
Kamal Pal, who filed the third FIR, alleged that he and his associate Gaurav Kashyap had reached door-to-door for the VHP’s ‘Dharma Raksha Nidhi’ program when they were blocked, attacked, abused and received by Kumar’s group. ₹3,000 in cash, a watch and a mobile phone. Police booked Kumar for rioting, criminal intimidation and breach of peace.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hailed Kumar as “India’s hero” for upholding the constitution.
Despite the case, Kumar is adamant. “Whatever happens, I will continue to protect those who cannot protect themselves. I am not afraid. They will not be able to extinguish this deepak (light). This light will light millions of deepaks in this country, nourished by traditional values,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari said on Tuesday that he would give ₹2 lakhs from his salary to Deepak Kumar of Kotdwar as a token of his appreciation.
Deepak has set an example of humanity, brotherhood and love that has made the whole of India think, he said in a statement issued by his office. “I have said before—our fight is not against any Indian. Our fight is against the British mentality that brutally crushed, killed and enslaved our forefathers. Deepak today is the true meaning of freedom and that struggle. Revived the spirit,” said Ansari
