‘My Name Is Mohammed Deepak’: Kotdwar Shop Row Sparks Debate on Identity and Communal Harmony

Kotdwar: Tension flared in Kotdwar on January 28, 2026, after members of a right-wing organisation objected to the name of a shop run by a Muslim family, triggering a confrontation that has since gone viral on social media.

The incident occurred at Baba School Dress and Matching Centre on Patel Marg, a shop run for over 30 years by Wakeel Ahmed and his son Shoaib. A group of activists from the Bajrang Dal reportedly reached the shop and demanded that the word “Baba” be removed from its name, arguing that a Muslim-owned establishment should not use a term associated with Hindu saints.

During the confrontation, Deepak Kumar, a local gym trainer, intervened in support of the elderly shopkeeper. He questioned the group’s authority to dictate what name a business could use. When activists allegedly asked for his name and questioned why a Hindu was defending a Muslim, Deepak replied, “My name is Mohammed Deepak,” adding that humanity and citizenship matter more than religious identity. His response was captured on video and widely shared online.

Following the incident, activists from nearby areas, including Dehradun, reportedly staged protests against Deepak and his friend Vijay Rawat. As a precautionary measure amid rising tension, police briefly took Deepak to the Kotwali, citing his safety.

During the subsequent show of support, several local Muslim youths gathered in solidarity with Deepak. In a symbolic gesture highlighting communal harmony, Deepak and a Muslim youth were seen sharing water from the same bottle, an act that supporters said was meant to challenge social divisions based on religion.

Police later intervened to disperse the protesters and restore order in the town. Officials said the situation is under control and peace has been maintained.

The episode has sparked widespread discussion on social media, where Deepak has been praised by many for his stand against communal division. In a follow-up video message, he appealed for calm and harmony, urging people to “spread love, not hatred,” and said he considers himself a human being first.

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