Hindu gym owner Deepak Kumar in Uttarakhand stood up for a Muslim shopkeeper facing harassment by a mob claiming to be from Bajrang Dal. His words, “My name is Mohammad Deepak,” went viral, symbolizing unity and courage. The incident sparked threats, police action, and a wider conversation about communal harmony in India today.
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My Name Is Mohammad Deepak”: A Stand for Humanity Amid Rising Communal Pressure
On January 26, 2026, a small garment shop in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, became the center of a national conversation on identity, courage, and communal harmony. The incident was not a political protest or a planned act of defiance, but began when 46-year-old gym owner Deepak Kumar saw something deeply wrong and chose to speak up. Deepak, a Hindu by birth, faced a hostile mob and introduced himself with the words “My name is Mohammad Deepak,” sending a powerful message that religion should not decide who deserves dignity. That moment brought him both praise and abuse, along with serious threats.
What Happened at the Shop
The incident took place at a shop called Baba School Dress, run by 70-year-old Muslim tailor Wakeel Ahmed, who has operated the shop on Patel Marg for nearly 30 years. According to his police complaint, on Republic Day, three to four young men entered the shop claiming to be members of the Hindutva group Bajrang Dal and demanded that Ahmed remove the word “Baba” from his shop’s name, arguing that it could only be used by Hindu religious figures. They warned him of serious consequences if he did not comply. Deepak Kumar, visiting a nearby shop, noticed the confrontation and stepped in to question the men. A video recorded during the exchange shows Deepak calmly asking why the name should be changed after three decades and why one community should have exclusive rights over a common word. When one of the men asked his name, seemingly to identify his religious identity, Deepak responded with the phrase that would soon go viral on social media: “My name is Mohammad Deepak.”
Why Those Words Mattered
Later, Deepak explained that his response was symbolic. He was not denying his Hindu identity but was asserting that he stood with Muslims as an Indian citizen and as a human being. In an Instagram video posted after the incident, he said, “I am not a Hindu, I am not a Muslim, I am not a Sikh, and I am not a Christian. First and foremost, I am a human being. After I die, I have to answer to God and to humanity, not to any religion.” For many Indians, especially minorities and liberals, these words reflected the exhaustion felt from everyday communal policing, while for those aligned with hardline ideology, the statement was seen as a betrayal.
The Backlash and Rising Threats
Soon after the video went viral, Deepak’s social media accounts were flooded with comments. Many praised his courage and called him a symbol of unity, while others abused him, labeled him a traitor, and issued open threats. The online anger soon spilled into the real world. On Saturday, a mob gathered outside Deepak’s home, forcing police to intervene to prevent violence. Later that day, an even larger group of protesters assembled outside his gym, shouting slogans and demanding that he come outside. Some taunted him for “running away” and said that if he loved Muslims so much, he should convert and wear a skull cap. Deepak responded through videos, stating that he would not back down and that fear would not silence him.
Police Action and Legal Developments
Uttarakhand Police have registered two separate FIRs in connection with the case. According to Senior Superintendent of Police Sarvesh Panwar, the first FIR was filed based on Wakeel Ahmed’s complaint. Two individuals named in the complaint, Gaurav Kashyap and Shakti Singh Gonsai, along with unidentified associates, have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those related to voluntarily causing hurt, criminal trespass, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult intended to provoke a breach of peace. A second FIR was filed against 30 to 40 unidentified individuals who allegedly gathered later, blocked a national highway, shouted provocative slogans, and manhandled police personnel. Police believe many of them traveled from Dehradun and Haridwar. Authorities have stated that they are monitoring the situation closely to prevent further escalation.
A Larger Pattern of Communal Policing
This incident is not isolated. In recent years, several states have seen growing reports of mobs targeting Muslim shop names, street vendors, interfaith couples, and even everyday language. What makes the Kotdwar case stand out is not just the harassment of a Muslim shopkeeper, but also the targeting of a Hindu man who chose to intervene. Deepak’s experience highlights a harsh reality: in today’s climate, standing up for another community can make anyone a target, regardless of their own religious background.
Public Reaction and What It Says About India
The phrase “My name is Mohammad Deepak” has been widely shared, printed on posters, and used in hashtags. For supporters, it represents the idea of India as a shared space where identity does not determine rights. For critics, it has become a symbol they want to suppress. This sharp divide reflects a broader struggle over the meaning of nationalism in modern India—whether it is about enforcing rigid religious boundaries or protecting the freedom of all citizens to live without fear. Deepak’s stand has forced many to confront that question.
Where Things Stand Now
As of February 1, 2026, police presence remains active in sensitive areas of Kotdwar, and investigations are ongoing. Deepak continues to post videos expressing his belief in love over hate and his refusal to be intimidated. Wakeel Ahmed’s shop remains open, though under visible tension. The outcome of the legal cases will be important, but so will the public response, as whether Deepak’s courage leads to accountability or is lost amid the noise will say a lot about the direction India chooses next. For now, one sentence spoken in a moment of moral clarity continues to resonate far beyond a small market street in Uttarakhand.
Conclusion
The Kotdwar incident, crystallized in the words “My name is Mohammad Deepak,” is more than a moment of personal bravery; it is a mirror reflecting India’s ongoing struggle with communal identity and shared humanity. Deepak Kumar’s choice to stand with a Muslim shopkeeper, despite belonging to the majority community himself, challenges the idea that religion should dictate respect, rights, or safety. The widespread support he received, alongside the vitriol and threats, exposes the deep polarization in society, where acts of empathy are sometimes treated as betrayal. Yet, the incident also demonstrates the power of conscience and moral courage to spark conversation, inspire solidarity, and question rigid social boundaries. In a country grappling with rising communal pressures, Deepak’s stand is a reminder that true citizenship is measured not by religious labels but by the willingness to protect the dignity of others, even at personal risk, a lesson that resonates far beyond Kotdwar.
Source: Muslim man’s shop, a Bajrang Dal mob, and a ‘Mohammad Deepak & Mera naam Mohammad Deepak’: Uttarakhand man stood up to harassment of a shopkeeper. He now faces protests
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