The Uttarakhand police have registered an FIR against Deepak Kumar and Vijay Rawat, two men who intervened when members of right-wing groups allegedly harassed an elderly Muslim shopkeeper in Kotdwar on January 26, demanding that he change his shop’s name.
The police have also lodged an FIR against two named and a few unnamed men based on the complaint of the Muslim shopkeeper, Ahmed Wakil, who runs ‘Baba school dress’. The charges include trespassing, intentional insults intended to provoke breach of public peace, criminal intimidation, and causing hurt.
Another FIR was registered against unnamed members of right-wing groups on the charge of breach of peace for blocking a national highway on January 31 to express their anger over the intervention of Mr. Kumar and Mr. Rawat. All three FIRs were lodged on Saturday (January 31, 2026) evening, the police said.
Sarvesh Panwar, Superintendent of Police of Pauri Garhwal, told The Hindu on Sunday (February 1, 2026) that the FIR against Mr. Kumar and Mr. Rawat was lodged following a complaint filed by Gaurav Kashyap and Kamal Pal, members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal, respectively. They were booked on charges of criminal intimidation, voluntarily causing hurt, rioting, and breach of peace.
“The complainants alleged that the men [Kumar and Rawat] attacked them with the intent of harming them. They also alleged that their money, watches, and phones were snatched, and casteist slurs were hurled at them to intimidate them. The complainants claimed to have gone to the spot as part of a door-to-door outreach initiative,” Mr. Panwar said.
On January 26, members of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal allegedly confronted Mr. Wakil over the name of his shop and demanded that he change it. Mr. Kumar and Mr. Rawat, who run a gym nearby, stood up for the shopkeeper. In a purported video of the incident, when the mob asks his name, Mr. Kumar responds, “I am Mohammed Deepak.”
According to the police, members of right-wing groups raised slogans and took out marches in Kotdwar demanding action against Mr. Kumar and Mr. Rawat. They also blocked a national highway, leading to disruption of traffic.
The police said the FIR was lodged against the members of right-wing groups to maintain law and order and prevent escalation of tensions in the area. Mr. Kumar said his life was under threat and questioned why the police had filed an FIR against him while those who “abused the Muslim shopkeeper are roaming free”.
‘Examining evidence’
A senior police officer said all cases are being investigated in accordance with the law and no one found guilty will be spared. “We are examining all available evidence, including video footage, and taking the statements of those involved. Action will be taken purely on legal grounds,” the officer said.
The incident has triggered criticism from civil rights activists and sections of the public who have questioned the decision to book Mr. Kumar and Mr. Rawat. They argue that the focus should be on protecting citizens from intimidation and ensuring communal harmony.
Meanwhile, the police have increased deployment of personnel in sensitive areas of Kotdwar to prevent further unrest. Authorities have appealed to the public to maintain peace and refrain from spreading unverified information on social media.
‘Lion-hearted warrior’
Taking to X, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi praised the intervention of Mr. Kumar. “Deepak is fighting for the Constitution and humanity — for that Constitution which the BJP and the Sangh Parivar are conspiring every day to trample underfoot. He is a living symbol of a shop of love in the marketplace of hate, and that’s what stings those in power the most,” the post read.
The Sangh Parivar is “deliberately poisoning the country’s economy and society, so that India remains divided,” and a few people continue to rule on the crutches of fear, he alleged. “Uttarakhand’s BJP Government is openly siding with those anti-social forces that are engaged in intimidating and harassing ordinary citizens,” he added.
“No country can move forward in an atmosphere of hate, fear, and anarchy. Without peace, development is just an empty slogan. We need more Deepaks – those who do not bow, who do not fear, and who stand firmly with the Constitution with all their might. We are with you, brother. Don’t be afraid. You are a lion-hearted warrior,” the post added.
Published – February 01, 2026 10:57 pm IST
