Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi meets gym trainer Deepak who advocated Advocate Ahmed’s Baba School Dress & Matching Center in Kotdwar on February 23, 2026 in New Delhi. Photo credit: ANI
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday (February 23, 2026) met a gym owner from Uttarakhand, who shot into the limelight as ‘Mohammad Deepak’ for standing up to Bajrang Dal activists who were allegedly harassing a Muslim businessman, and expressed support by telling him that he would come to Kotdwar to become a gym member.
Congress president Vaibhav Walia, gym owner Deepak Kumar and his friend Vijay Rawat along with several others were present at the meeting held at the 10th Janpanth residence of Congress Parliamentary Party President Sonia Gandhi. Mr Deepak also met Sonia Gandhi.
“Every human being is equal. That’s Indianness, that’s ‘mohabbat ki dukaan’. Meeting brother Mohammad Deepak from Uttarakhand – The same flame of unity and courage should burn in every Indian youth,” Rahul Gandhi, who also spoke to Deepak’s wife on phone, said in a Facebook post.
Also read | ‘Mohammed’ Deepak has received a wave of support across India after news of his gym membership dropping
After the meeting, Mr Kumar told reporters, “Rahul ji invited me. He introduced me to Sonia ji and also spoke to my wife on the phone. He told me that you have done a good job and I will come to Kotdwar and take membership of your gym.”
Congress leader Vaibhav Walia, who accompanied Rahul Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Yatra, said, “Mohammad Deepak conveyed the message that Rahul Gandhi gave through ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ – which is the opening of ‘Mohabbat Ki Dukaan’ across the country.”
“We are grateful to Rahul ji for honoring a young man from Uttarakhand who stood up for humanity and love. We hope that love wins and hate in Uttarakhand and the entire country loses,” Walia said.
On January 26, Bajrang Dal activists protested outside the ‘Baba’ clothing store on Patel Marg in Kotdwar to force its 70-year-old owner Vakil Ahmed to change the name of the store.
Also read | CPI(M) leader Brittas meets Uttarakhand gym owner Deepak, a businessman, over alleged right-wing harassment
During the protest, there were clashes between activists, shop owner Vakil Ahmed and his son’s friend Deepak Kumar, after which Mr. Kumar, who identified himself as Mohammad Deepak, forced the protesters to retreat.
On January 31, a larger group of activists again gathered in front of Mr. Ahmed’s shop and Mr. Kumar’s gym, blocking the road and shouting slogans. However, police intervention prevented the escalation. Three separate FIRs have been filed in connection with the incidents.
Fresh concerns emerged after a viral video by the Hindu Raksha Dal showed a man threatening to march to Kotdwara on February 12 to “teach Deepak a lesson”.
Local authorities are keeping a tight vigil to prevent any flare-up.
Mr Kumar, the 42-year-old owner of The ‘Hulk’ gym in Kotdwara, Uttarakhand, had earlier said his business collapsed because he clashed with Bajrang Dal activists.
Also read | Two men who opposed the harassment of a Muslim businessman booked in Uttarakhand
He said the ongoing tension has made his livelihood a casualty of the dispute.
After the incident, Mr. Gandhi expressed support for Mr. Kumar, claiming that the Sangh Parivar was deliberately poisoning the economy and society to keep India divided.
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said that Mr. Deepak is a hero of India as he fights for the Constitution and humanity.
Published – 23 Feb 2026 17:16 IST
