Gym Owner's Courageous Stand Leads to Drastic Membership Decline in Kotdwar
Deepak Kumar, a 38-year-old resident of Uttarakhand, has experienced a dramatic decline in his gym membership after taking a principled stand against harassment targeting a 70-year-old Muslim shopkeeper. His establishment, Hulk Gym in Kotdwar, which previously boasted 150 active members, now sees a daily footfall of only 15 people.
The Incident That Changed Everything
The situation unfolded on January 26 when Deepak intervened as a group of men were pressuring Vakeel Ahmed, a 70-year-old shopkeeper suffering from Parkinson's disease, to remove the word "Baba" from his shop's name. During the confrontation, when asked to identify himself, Deepak courageously stated his name as Mohammad Deepak. A video recording of this exchange quickly went viral on social media platforms.
This act of solidarity thrust Deepak into the national spotlight, but also attracted significant backlash from certain segments of his community. On January 31, members of the Bajrang Dal gathered to confront Deepak directly, though police intervention prevented the situation from escalating further.
Community Division and Financial Strain
The town of Kotdwar has become deeply divided in the aftermath of these events. Deepak observes that approximately half of the community supports his actions, while the other half feels antagonized by his decision to intervene. "People do not applaud when you do good deeds. Honesty might come at a price," he remarked philosophically.
The financial consequences have been severe for Deepak and his family. Operating from a rented building with monthly rent of Rs 40,000, the gym represents the family's sole source of income. Compounding these difficulties, Deepak recently constructed a house and continues to make monthly loan payments of Rs 16,000.
"People are scared, and I understand it," Deepak acknowledged regarding the membership decline. "There is a high attrition rate in this business; if you lose a member, it is hard to regain them." The remaining members have assured him of their continued support, providing some consolation during this challenging period.
Political Support and Police Protection
On Sunday, Member of Parliament John Brittas, who leads the CPI(M)'s Parliamentary Party in the Rajya Sabha, visited both Vakeel Ahmed and Deepak Kumar. In a symbolic gesture of solidarity, Brittas took out a membership at Hulk Gym, which he described as standing deserted "due to threats from communal elements."
The CPI(M) subsequently issued a statement praising Deepak's actions: "Brittas congratulated 'Muhammad' Deepak for fearlessly taking a stand against the fascistic thugs and added that it is people like him who are the true hope and strength of the country." The parliamentarian also registered a formal protest at the Kotdwar police station regarding the handling of the case.
Local authorities have responded by providing security protection for Deepak and deploying additional police forces throughout the town to maintain order.
Maintaining Hope Amid Adversity
Despite the significant personal and professional consequences, Deepak maintains his conviction that he acted correctly. "I still don't think that I have done something wrong," he stated firmly. "People from outside are supporting me, but those in town have yet to come around. Things are moving slowly, but it will get better."
This story from Kotdwar highlights the complex social dynamics that can emerge when individuals take principled stands on community issues, particularly those involving religious minorities. Deepak's experience demonstrates both the costs of such courage and the resilience required to maintain hope for reconciliation and understanding.
