3 min learnUp to date: Feb 9, 2026 10:16 PM IST
Days after he was confronted by members of the Bajrang Dal for standing up for a 70-year-old Muslim man, Deepak Kumar has misplaced lots of his gymnasium members.
At Hulk Gymnasium in Kotdwar, which is run from a rented constructing and as soon as attracted 150 members, has seen the day by day footfall drop to fifteen folks, he informed The Indian Specific.
On January 26, Deepak (38) stood as much as a gaggle of males who have been harassing a 70-year-old Muslim shopkeeper, who suffers from Parkinson’s illness, to drop the phrase “Baba” from his store’s identify. Through the confrontation, when requested his identify, he informed the gang it was Mohammad Deepak. A video of the confrontation went viral, thrusting Deepak into the limelight but additionally bringing undesirable consideration. On January 31, a number of members of the Bajrang Dal gathered to confront Deepak, however have been restrained by the police.
Every week later, the city has been cleaved into two: those that prolonged solidarity and those that really feel antagonised by his act. “Half of the city helps me, however folks don’t applaud whenever you do good deeds. Honesty may come at a worth,” he mentioned.
His gymnasium has taken the hit. “Persons are scared, and I perceive it. Nevertheless, the gymnasium is run on a complete ground with a hire of Rs 40,000 a month. Our household has just one earnings. I not too long ago constructed the home and am nonetheless paying off the month-to-month mortgage of Rs 16,000,” Kumar mentioned.
The remaining members, he mentioned, assured him that they’re staying put. “There’s a excessive attrition fee; should you lose a member, it’s onerous to regain them,” he mentioned.
On Sunday, Member of Parliament John Brittas, chief of CPI(M)’s Parliamentary Get together within the Rajya Sabha, visited the proprietor of Baba Gown, Vakeel Ahmed, and Kumar. In a tweet, the CPI(M) mentioned that he visited the gymnasium and took a membership because it now stood abandoned “as a consequence of threats from communal parts”.
“Brittas additionally registered his robust protest on the Kotdwar police station, which has filed a case towards Deepak whereas shielding the rioters. He congratulated ‘Muhammad’ Deepak for fearlessly taking a stand towards the fascistic thugs and added that it’s folks like him who’re the true hope and power of the nation,” it posted.
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“I nonetheless don’t suppose that I’ve executed one thing flawed. Individuals from exterior are supporting me, however these on the town have but to come back round. Issues are shifting slowly, however it’ll get higher,” he mentioned.
Police have in the meantime supplied safety to Kumar and deployed extra pressure within the city.
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