Dehradun Man Stands Up for Elderly Shopkeeper, Faces Legal and Social Backlash
In a bold act of intervention that has since sparked nationwide debate, Deepak Kumar, a resident of Dehradun, stepped forward to protect an elderly Muslim shopkeeper in Kotdwar on Republic Day. The incident, captured in a viral video, shows Kumar confronting members of the Bajrang Dal who were allegedly harassing the shopkeeper for using the term 'Baba' in his shop's name. Introducing himself as 'Mohammed Deepak' in the footage, Kumar has since declared his unwavering commitment to humanity, stating he would not hesitate to intervene again "whenever needed."
Social Media Surge and Escalating Tensions
Following the confrontation, Kumar experienced an unprecedented surge in online visibility. His Facebook followers skyrocketed from approximately 1,500 before January 26 to over 4.3 lakh by the following Monday. Similarly, his Instagram following leaped from around 1,000 to more than 5 lakh within a week. This digital fame, however, has been accompanied by significant real-world repercussions.
Speaking to TOI on Monday, Kumar revealed that the true disruption began not from Kotdwar's local residents but from "outsiders" who arrived in the town on January 31. A group of 30 to 40 Bajrang Dal members traveled from Dehradun and Rishikesh to stage a demonstration outside his gym and home. They raised communal slogans and filmed videos, all under the watch of local police. "After what happened on Jan 26, a large number of Bajrang Dal members gathered near my gymnasium and house while aggressively raising slogans against me," Kumar recounted. "But I didn't bow down before them. I will not bow down to hatred and will stand for humanity again, whenever needed."
Legal Retaliation and Police Response
Later that night, police registered three FIRs related to the events. One was filed against Kumar and his friend Vijay Rawat, based on a complaint by Bajrang Dal member Kamal Pal. The charges included:
- Voluntarily causing hurt under BNS section 115(2)
- Criminal intimidation under BNS section 351(2)
- Intentional insult likely to provoke breach of peace under BNS section 352
- Unlawful assembly under BNS section 191(1)
Kumar, who lives with his wife, mother, and four-year-old daughter, views the case as direct retaliation. "This is punishment for standing up for humanity," he asserted. "People supporting the right-wing group have run social media campaigns targeting me, but at the same time many others have shown support. That itself is proof that there are still people in this country who want peace."
Rawat, who also appears in the viral video, disclosed that they had filed a formal complaint after the January 31 protest, naming specific Bajrang Dal members and listing vehicle numbers. "But no action was taken on it," he lamented. "Instead, police registered a case against 30–40 unidentified members. We are not scared because we did nothing wrong. We have always respected all religions but have considered humanity the greatest religion since childhood."
A senior Kotdwar police officer clarified that Kumar's complaint had been incorporated into the ongoing investigation, with no separate FIR registered since a case for the same offense already existed. The officer added that no arrests had been made, and efforts were underway to identify the 40 individuals mentioned.
Additional FIRs and Political Reactions
Two more FIRs were registered in connection with the escalating situation. One, based on the shop owner's complaint, named two Bajrang Dal workers—Gaurav Kashyap and Shakti Singh Gusain—along with two unnamed persons. The other, filed by police suo motu, charged around 40 individuals under various BNS sections, including:
- Voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant under section 121(2)
- Wrongful restraint under section 126(2)
- Rioting under section 191(2)
- Promoting enmity between religious groups under section 196(2)
These charges stemmed from allegations of blocking NH-534 and shouting communally charged slogans outside Kumar's gym.
National political leaders have also entered the fray. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi expressed support on social media, hailing Kumar as a "lion" and urging him not to fear. AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi praised Kumar's actions during a public rally, describing his intervention as an act of courage against intimidation.
Bajrang Dal's Perspective and Allegations
Bajrang Dal state convenor Vikas Verma questioned the attention Kumar has garnered, linking his social media stardom to broader political motives. "His sudden social media stardom makes it absolutely clear who all are supporting him. It is the liberals, communists, terrorists and all those who don't want Sanatan to exist in India," Verma told TOI. "But we will soon break this anti-Sanatan strategy and hold a door-to-door campaign in Kotdwar to show the faces of all the anti-national elements who supported him against Bajrang Dal, which always stands for the country."
Verma further alleged that the support for Kumar is part of a larger political design aimed at polarization ahead of the 2027 assembly elections in Uttarakhand. "This is a polarisation attempt before the 2027 assembly elections in Uttarakhand," he claimed. "But we will not allow those anti-nationals to succeed."
Despite the legal challenges and ongoing tensions, Kumar remains resolute. "I am carrying out my business as usual, but I am still a little concerned for the safety of my family," he admitted. Reflecting on the communal harmony in Kotdwar, he added, "People of Kotdwar have lived peacefully. The trouble didn't begin here. It was brought in from outside."
