There's "no need to fear" was the clear message from Rahul Gandhi to Deepak Kumar, a gymnasium owner in Uttarakhand, who made headlines when he identified himself as "Mohammad Deepak" while defending a 70-year-old Muslim shopkeeper from alleged Bajrang Dal members.
"Rahul Gandhi ji had called me to meet him. He spoke to my family and explained to me that there is no need to fear, you have not done anything wrong," Deepak Kumar told reporters in Delhi after meeting the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
राहुल गांधी जी ने मुझे मिलने के लिए बुलाया था।
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 23, 2026
उन्होंने मेरे परिवार से बात की और मुझे समझाया कि डरने की कोई जरूरत नहीं, आपने कोई गलत काम नहीं किया है।
राहुल जी ने ये भी कहा कि वे कोटद्वार आकर मुझसे मिलेंगे और मेरे जिम की मेंबरशिप लेंगे।
: नेता विपक्ष @RahulGandhi जी से मिलने… pic.twitter.com/9GheWSOyPB
The row began on January 26, when a mob targeted Vakil Ahmed's shop, Baba School Dress. The group objected to the name "Baba," claiming it could be confused with the local Siddhbali Baba temple. However, locals noted that many other shops in the area use the word "Baba" without issue, leading to allegations that Ahmed was targeted solely for his religious identity.
When Deepak intervened to protect the elderly shopkeeper, the mob demanded his name. He defiantly responded, "My name is Mohammad Deepak."
Since then, the gymnasium owner has faced a severe economic boycott.
Before the controversy, Deepak's Hulk Gym - located on Badrinath Road in Kotdwar - boasted 150 members. That number has since crashed to just 15.
"Rahul ji also said that he would come to Kotdwar to meet me and take membership in my gym," said Deepak, dressed in a sweatshirt and denims.
Earlier, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas walked through Kotdwar with Deepak and symbolically signed up for a gym membership.
"Mohammad Deepak has set an example of unity, brotherhood, and courage - one that will inspire every young person in the country to muster the courage to fight against injustice and hatred. Deepak is a warrior of the 'Shop of Love'- the entire country takes pride in him," the Congress posted on X.
नेता विपक्ष श्री @RahulGandhi ने उत्तराखंड के 'मोहम्मद दीपक' से मुलाकात की।
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 23, 2026
मोहम्मद दीपक ने एकता, भाईचारे और हिम्मत की वो मिसाल पेश की है- जो देश के हर युवा को अन्याय और नफरत के खिलाफ लड़ने का हौसला देगा।
दीपक 'मोहब्बत की दुकान' के योद्धा हैं- पूरे देश को इन पर गर्व है।
📍… pic.twitter.com/pxGkXZCVKI
In another post, the Congress showed the two men hugging.
दो भाई - मोहब्बत के सिपाही ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uT2hGBeOSi
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 23, 2026
"Two Brothers - Soldiers of Love," it captioned the post.
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi also honoured the Uttarakhand hero.
उत्तराखंड कोटद्वार के "मोहब्बत के दीपक" को सम्मानित करके उनका हौसला बढ़ाया।
— Imran Pratapgarhi (@ShayarImran) February 23, 2026
दीपक जैसे नौजवान ही भारत का भविष्य हैं,
नफ़रत के ख़िलाफ़ दीपक के हौसले को सलाम। pic.twitter.com/a436VnY1MC
"Honored the "Lamp of Love" from Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, to boost his morale. Young men like Deepak are the future of India, Salute to Deepak's courage against hatred," the Congress MP posted on X.
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