Deepak Kumar at his gym in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Help has poured in for Deepak Kumar, now popularly known as Mohammed Deepak, after news of a sharp decline in membership at his gym went viral following a Republic Day incident in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand. Social media was abuzz with users from across the country showing interest in becoming a member of the gym.
Mr. Deepak came into the national spotlight after he confronted a mob of right-wing members accused of harassing a 71-year-old Muslim garment seller and pressuring him to change the name of his shop.
The episode unfolded on Republic Day, when Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members objected to the name of a four decades-old garment store, Baba School Dress and Matching Centre, run by Wakeel Ahmed and insisted it be renamed, identifying the owner’s religion. As the situation outside the shop grew tense, Mr. Kumar intervened. Footage of the incident later circulated widely online, with particular attention on a clip in which he introduced himself by saying, “Mera naam Muhammad Deepak (My name is Mohammad Deepak).”
Since then, Mr. Kumar is facing protests, online and offline harassment and an FIR lodged by the police. His wife and daughter have also fallen ill after witnessing the chaos around them.
Above all, Mr. Kumar’s long-running gym, Hulk, situated at Jhanda Chauk area in Kotdwar, previously had around 150 members. The membership has declined to 15-20 now, said Deepak Singh, a trainer at the gym and the owner’s namesake.
Recalling how the gym, which had once been alive with sweat-drenched men occupying the floors, he said the place is now covered in darkness most of the time, as many people have stopped coming.
“Police keep sitting outside the gym all the time. The members are fearful that if something will happen some day, they all will be in trouble,” Mr. Kumar said.
Remains steadfast
Despite the decline in footfall, Mr. Kumar still arrives here before sunrise, wiping down machines and adjusting mirrors, believing the space he had built with his own hands will once again see people working out and chasing their dreams.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] MP John Brittas, who met Mr. Kumar on February 8, took a one-year membership at Hulk gym to extend solidarity with the man who stood up for secularism, he said.
People took to social media platforms, including X and Instagram, asking for the account details of Mohammed Deepak’s gym to extend financial support to him. A few people, including actor Swara Bhaskar, also advised Mr. Kumar to start online training and assured him of joining in.
Published – February 10, 2026 10:54 pm IST
