Mohammad Deepak, who came into limelight after the controversy related to removing the word ‘Baba’ from the name of the shop in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, has had a special conversation with ABP News. Mohammad Deepak, a young man from Kotdwar, said that he did not know the elderly Baba personally, but out of humanity he supported him. Deepak told that he had been visiting that shop for many years and whenever he passed by there, he used to meet the old man.
According to Deepak, on January 26, 7-8 boys reached the shop and asked the old man to remove the word ‘Baba’. He told that the shop has been running under the same name for the last 35-40 years. When he raised his voice in defense of the old man, people asked him his name several times. To this he replied, “I am Mohammad Deepak, speak!” He says that his meaning was clear that he is an Indian and stands with humanity.
Uproar at the gym on 31 January 2026
Deepak further said, “I had not thought that the matter would escalate to this extent.” On January 31, about 150-200 boys reached his gym. These people had come with the intention of scaring them and abused them there. My mother was also present there at that time. These people had come from outside Kotdwar. People stood outside the police station for several hours, due to which the atmosphere remained tense. Deepak said that his mother always supports what is right and he also said that whatever he did was right.
‘It is wrong to create controversy over the name’
Deepak also said, “People should not look at a person on the basis of religion, but should look at him from a human perspective. It is wrong to create controversy over the name.” He says that he stood only for humanity.
What was the conversation with Rahul Gandhi?
Deepak told that he had received a call from Rahul Gandhi’s team, after which he went to Delhi and met him. Rahul Gandhi asked him about the current situation and inquired about the well being of the family. He told, “Rahul Gandhi said that he wants to take membership of his gym. He also promised that he would come to Kotdwar and take membership of their gym. He got encouragement from this meeting.
Economic impact on gym – Deepak
Deepak told that earlier there were more than 150 members in his gym, which has now reduced to 20-25. He said that the people who are not coming to the gym, it is their thinking. He said, “I have to run my house, if needed I will run it even by working as a labourer.” Bank EMI, daughter’s school fees and household expenses are all covered by the gym’s earnings. This incident has had a direct impact on their income.
Don’t feel like a ‘star’, got message of peace
When he was asked that many people were coming to meet him and take selfies. On this Deepak said that he feels good that his message of peace has reached the people. He doesn’t feel like a star, but is satisfied that he did something humanitarian.
‘No intention of entering politics’
Deepak clearly said that he has no plans to join politics. He just wants to go from gym to home and from home to gym. He also said, “If people from Bharatiya Janata Party also call, he will go to meet.” People from almost all parties except BJP have come to meet him, but he did not say yes to anyone to join politics. Many people also offered him to contest elections, but he refused. He says that he does not want to get into politics.
Demand for security for family
Deepak also became emotional about this whole matter. He said that he is very sensitive about his family. If security is to be given then it should be given not to him but to his family. He said, “My 70-year-old mother runs a tea stall. Before this, she used to work as a cook at home. I do not want his family to face any kind of trouble.” Amidst this entire incident, Mohammad Deepak reiterated that whatever he did, he did it only for humanity and he wants to follow the same path in future also.
How did Deepak come into limelight?
On January 26, 2026, Hindu organizations had objected to the name of a shop. An attempt was made to put pressure on a Muslim shopkeeper in Kotdwar market. Pressure was created to remove the word ‘Baba’ from the name of the shop. Deepak defended the shopkeeper and lawyer Ahmed. When asked his name, he told his name as ‘Mohammed Deepak’. On January 31, 2026, many organizations demonstrated outside Deepak’s gym. Police took charge of the situation and conducted a flag march. In February 2026, Kotdwar Police registered 3 FIRs. One of these FIRs was against Deepak.