Uttarakhand Police Register FIR Following Mob Protests Against Gym Owner Who Defended Muslim Shopkeeper
Police authorities in Uttarakhand have officially filed a First Information Report (FIR) against unidentified individuals following organized protests by alleged Bajrang Dal members against Deepak Kumar, a local gym owner who courageously intervened to protect an elderly Muslim shopkeeper from harassment.
Incident Details and Police Complaint
The FIR was formally registered on Sunday under multiple sections including unlawful assembly, obstruction of public servants' duties, and promoting enmity between different groups. This legal action stems from a complaint filed by a police officer who was deployed in Kotdwar during the tense incident.
According to official reports, the confrontation began on January 26 when Deepak Kumar visited his friend's shop in Pauri Garhwal. While there, he overheard several men aggressively heckling and threatening the neighboring shopkeeper, Vakeel Ahmed, regarding the use of 'Baba' in his shop name. When Kumar inquired about the disturbance and attempted to intervene, he was explicitly told to stay out of the matter.
Video Evidence and Identity Declaration
A video recording of the incident captures Kumar confronting the agitated mob with a pointed question: "Why can others name their shops Baba but not Ahmed?" He further challenged the protesters by asking, "The shop is 30 years old, will you change the name?"
When questioned about his own identity during the confrontation, Kumar deliberately responded, "My name is Mohammad Deepak." He later explained to media representatives that this declaration was intentional, stating he wanted to convey that "I was an Indian and everyone was equal before the law."
Escalation and Police Response
The situation escalated significantly around 2 PM on Saturday when police received information that groups were assembling to confront Kumar at his gymnasium and gather at the Baba Dress shop. Approximately 40 individuals eventually congregated near Kumar's gym, shouting slogans against him and causing him to express genuine fears for his family's safety to authorities.
Sub-Inspector Vinod Kumar's detailed complaint describes how the protesters blocked the national highway, creating severe traffic disruptions. "When they were stopped for inquiry, they raised slogans, stopped their vehicles on the road, created a traffic jam, and began sloganeering using words that hurt religious sentiments," the official complaint states.
The officer immediately informed senior officials and requested additional police reinforcement to manage the volatile situation.
Further Disruptions and Communal Tensions
According to the FIR documentation, the group intimidated police personnel, removed official barriers, and proceeded toward Kotdwar market while continuing their slogan-shouting. "The group then reached Baba Dress shop and started raising slogans in front of the shop and used abusive language while spreading religious frenzy," the FIR quotes the reporting officer.
After police dispersed the gathering from that location, the protesters regrouped near Malviya Udyan in front of the Municipal Council on the National Highway. There, they sat on the roadway, blocked traffic for approximately one hour, and displayed aggressive behavior that affected general public movement, vehicles, and even ambulance services.
The FIR explicitly notes that "by raising religious slogans, they attempted to disturb communal harmony, and created an atmosphere of disorder." Police repeatedly requested the group to disperse as an atmosphere of fear and panic prevailed among passers-by.
Organizational Links and Investigation
Police intelligence indicates that "most of them had come from Dehradun and Haridwar, and that they were claiming themselves to be members of the Bajrang Dal." This geographical spread suggests organized mobilization rather than spontaneous local protest.
Pauri Garhwal Senior Superintendent of Police Sarvesh Panwar confirmed that the FIR was registered based on direct police observation of the incident. "We have registered an FIR on the complaint of the shopkeeper regarding the initial dispute. If Deepak Kumar has filed a complaint, it will be incorporated into the same FIR," he stated.
An active investigation is currently underway with authorities utilizing video footage to identify participants. "A team has been delegated for this. Security has been strengthened by deploying additional personnel in Kotdwar," Panwar emphasized. Police maintain communication with both parties and continue appeals for communal harmony while preparing for potential future disturbances.
Context and Background
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing communal tensions in various regions, with similar cases involving alleged Bajrang Dal members making headlines recently. The police response demonstrates official recognition of the need to maintain public order while protecting citizens' rights to conduct business without religious harassment.
Deepak Kumar's intervention represents a notable example of individual courage in defending minority rights, while the organized nature of the protests highlights ongoing challenges to social harmony in certain areas. The legal proceedings will likely be closely monitored as a test case for handling similar confrontations in the future.
