Leader of Opposition. Kumar gained popularity after he referred to himself as "Mohammad Deepak" while defending an elderly Muslim shopkeeper from a right-wing mob in Uttarakhand. He was hailed by the Congress leader as a "warrior" for communal harmony.
The meeting, which was also attended by senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, comes nearly a month after a video of Kumar's confrontation with Bajrang Dal members went viral, sparking both national praise and local backlash.
While Kumar’s actions were celebrated online, they took a severe toll on his livelihood. Following the incident, his fitness center, Hulk Gym, saw its membership plummet from 150 clients to just 15. Kumar reported facing social boycott and threats, though he maintained that he did not regret standing up for his neighbour.
Solidarity from Congress
During their meeting on Monday, Rahul Gandhi reportedly reassured Kumar, telling him that he had "done nothing wrong" and that his actions were an inspiration to the youth of the country.
“Rahul ji spoke to my family and me. He assured us that what I did was good,” Kumar told reporters after the meeting. In a surprising personal gesture, Gandhi promised to visit Kotdwar in the future and vowed to take a membership at Kumar’s gym to help support his business.
The official handle of the Indian National Congress shared photos of the meeting, stating: “Deepak is a warrior of the ‘Mohabbat ki Dukaan’, the entire nation is proud of him.”
What Is The Controversy Surrounding Mohammad Deepak?
The incident took place in Kotdwar in January 2026, when members of Bajrang Dal staged a protest outside a clothing store owned by 70-year-old Vakil Ahmed, demanding that he changed the name of his shop 'Baba Clothes'. The group claimed that 'Baba' was a Hindu term and it's use by a Muslim shopkeeper was objectionable.
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Deepak Kumar, a friend of Ahmed’s son, intervened to protect the elderly man. During the heated altercation, Kumar stood his ground against the mob, asserting a message of unity. The confrontation eventually led to the registration of three separate FIRs and required a heavy police presence in the town to prevent further escalation after right-wing groups threatened to "teach Deepak a lesson".