Uttarakhand's Kotdwar row explained: 'Baba' name on Ahmed's shop to 'Mera naam Mohammad Deepak'

• FIR against gym trainer Deepak Kumar sparks outrage in Uttarakhand's Kotdwar
• Kumar confronted mob over shop name, video of incident went viral
• Multiple FIRs filed; tensions rise as protests and threats continue

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The registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against a gym trainer who stood up to a mob in Uttarakhand’s Kotdwar town has sparked widespread outrage and raised questions about law enforcement priorities.

Deepak Kumar, a local gym owner, and his friend Vijay Rawat are facing police action days after a video showing them confronting alleged Bajrang Dal members went viral on social media.

What happened at the shop in Kotdwar?

The incident took place on January 26 on Patel Marg in Kotdwar, located in Pauri Garhwal district. Deepak Kumar was present at a friend’s shop when he overheard a group of men, claiming to be from Bajrang Dal, allegedly threatening a neighbouring shopkeeper, 70-year-old Wakil Ahmed.

According to Kumar and Ahmed, the men objected to the name of Ahmed’s shop, Baba School Dress and Clothing, and allegedly pressured him to change it, claiming that he was not Hindu. The shop has been running with the same name for nearly 30 years, Ahmed said.

When Kumar intervened and questioned the men, he was allegedly told not to interfere. A heated argument followed, which was captured on video and later circulated widely online.

Why did ‘Mohammad Deepak’ become a flashpoint?

In the viral video, Kumar is seen asking the group why shop names using the word ‘Baba’ were acceptable for others but not for Ahmed. When members of the group asked Kumar his name, he replied, “My name is Mohammad Deepak.”

Later explaining his remark, Kumar said he made the statement in anger to convey that religion should not decide who is treated as a citizen. “I wanted to say that everyone is equal before the law. I didn’t do anything wrong,” he told media.

Kumar, who runs a gym in the area, added that Hanuman is an inspiration for his gym members and denied any political affiliation.

What FIRs have been registered so far?

Following the incident, Pauri Garhwal police registered multiple FIRs. One FIR was filed against Deepak Kumar, and Vijay Rawat. It includes charges related to rioting, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, and breach of peace. The complaint in this FIR is from Kamal Prasad, another Kotdwar resident, police said.

At the same time, another FIR was registered against unknown persons over an alleged attack on Kumar by a mob on Saturday. This case includes charges of rioting, wrongful restraint, promoting enmity between groups, and causing hurt.

Separately, Wakil Ahmed also filed a complaint, leading to an FIR against members of the mob who allegedly entered his shop, threatened him, and tried to force him to change the shop’s name.

How did the situation escalate?

Days after the confrontation, tensions rose again when more than 40 people allegedly gathered at a park in Kotdwar on Saturday, raising slogans against Kumar. Kumar claimed that he and his family were threatened during the gathering.

“I had informed the police in advance that people were assembling and that the situation could turn tense,” Kumar said. While police personnel were present at the spot, he alleged that no FIR was registered despite his complaint.

Police officials said they have received the complaint and are conducting an inquiry. “Some people have been identified, and necessary action will be taken,” an officer from Kotdwar police station said.

What did the shopkeeper say?

In his complaint, Wakil Ahmed stated that three to four men claiming to be Bajrang Dal members entered his shop and warned him to change its name. “They said the consequences would not be good if I didn’t comply,” the complaint read.

Ahmed said he felt intimidated and helpless during the incident. He has sought strict action against the accused, including two named individuals and others who are yet to be identified.

The incident has also drawn sharp political reactions. Congress senior vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana said recent incidents, including the Kotdwar dispute, have damaged Uttarakhand’s image and disturbed communal harmony.

He urged the state government to act decisively to prevent further polarisation and ensure the safety of minorities. “Such incidents cannot be ignored. They affect peace across the state,” he said.