Rahul Gandhi meets ‘Mohammad Deepak’ gym owner, says he'll visit Kotdwar to take the membership

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday met Uttarakhand gym owner Deepak Kumar, who came into the spotlight as “Mohammad Deepak” after confronting Bajrang Dal activists in Kotdwar, and told him he would visit his gym and take membership. The meeting took place at 10 Janpath in New Delhi in the presence of Congress leaders and supporters, days after tensions in Kotdwar led to police cases and heightened security.

Rahul Gandhi meets Mohammad Deepak at 10 Janpath

Deepak Kumar met Rahul Gandhi at the residence of Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi. Congress leader Vaibhav Walia, Kumar’s friend Vijay Rawat, and several others attended the meeting.

In a Facebook post after the interaction, Rahul Gandhi said, "Every human being is equal. This is Indianness, this is 'mohabbat ki dukaan'. Meeting with brother Mohammad Deepak from Uttarakhand - This same flame of unity and courage should burn in every Indian youth."


Deepak Kumar later told reporters, "Rahul ji invited me. He introduced me to Sonia ji and also spoke with my wife over the phone. He told me that you have done a good job and I will come to Kotdwar and take a membership at your gym."

‘Mohabbat Ki Dukaan’ message echoed by party leaders

Congress leader Vaibhav Walia linked the meeting to the message of Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Walia said, "Mohammad Deepak has carried forward the message that Rahul Gandhi gave through the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' -- which is of opening 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' across the country.

"We are grateful to Rahul ji for honouring a young man from Uttarakhand who stood up for humanity and love. We hope that love will prevail and hatred will lose in Uttarakhand and the entire country," he added.

Mohammad Deepak controversy in Kotdwar

The incident that brought Kumar into the spotlight began on January 26, when Bajrang Dal activists protested outside a clothing store owned by 70-year-old Vakil Ahmed on Patel Marg in Kotdwar, demanding a change in the shop’s name.

Clashes broke out between the protesters, Ahmed and his son’s friend Deepak Kumar. Kumar identified himself as Mohammad Deepak during the confrontation and pushed the activists to retreat.

On January 31, a larger group of activists returned, gathering outside Ahmed’s shop and Kumar’s gym, blocking the road and raising slogans. Police intervened and prevented escalation. Three FIRs have been registered in connection with the incidents.

Fresh tension emerged after a video circulated online showing a man linked to the Hindu Raksha Dal threatening to march to Kotdwar on February 12 to “teach Deepak a lesson”. Authorities have since maintained a strict vigil in the area to avoid any flare-up.

Livelihood hit as controversy grows

Deepak Kumar, 42, who runs ‘The Hulk’ gym in Kotdwar, had earlier said his business has suffered since the confrontation. He said the ongoing tension has affected his livelihood.

Rahul Gandhi had earlier backed Kumar, saying the Sangh Parivar is poisoning the economy and society to keep India divided, and described Deepak as a hero fighting for the Constitution and humanity.

The Kotdwar episode has since turned into a wider political flashpoint, with leaders framing it as a debate over unity, identity and local livelihoods.