On 26 January 2026, in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, a 70 year old Muslim shopkeeper named Vakeel Ahmed was allegedly heckled by a mob demanding he remove the word ‘Baba’ from his shop’s name.
Deepak Kumar, a local gym owner, displayed immense courage by intervening to protect the elderly man from the aggressive group.
When the mob questioned his own religious identity, Kumar boldly declared his name as “Mohammad Deepak” to assert that humanity and Indian law see no difference between faiths. Despite subsequent protests against him and the filing of cross FIRs, Kumar remains firm in his stand for communal harmony and justice.
Vakeel Ahmed
The incident occurred at ‘Baba School Dress’, a shop that has operated peacefully on Patel Marg for over thirty years. Vakeel Ahmed, who lives with Parkinson’s disease, was confronted by a group of men who claimed that a Muslim using the title ‘Baba’ was offensive to their religious sentiments.
The group allegedly pressured the elderly man to change the name immediately, creating a tense atmosphere in the bustling market. This confrontation highlights a growing trend of identity based disputes over commercial signage, threatening the long standing social fabric of small towns in the Himalayan state.
Mohammad Deepak
Deepak Kumar was at his gym nearby when he heard the commotion. Seeing the frail Ahmed surrounded by an angry crowd, he stepped in to diffuse the situation. When the protesters asked if he was a Muslim for defending the shopkeeper, he gave his now famous reply.
By calling himself “Mohammad Deepak,” he intended to mock the mob’s obsession with religious labels and reiterate that constitutional rights apply to every citizen regardless of their name. His actions shifted the narrative from a lopsided confrontation to a debate on the duty of a bystander in a democratic society.
Backlash & Local Unrest
Following the incident, the situation in Kotdwar escalated as right wing groups mobilised against Kumar. Over 40 protesters gathered to raise slogans, accusing him of hurting religious sentiments and using derogatory language.
The backlash led to a temporary closure of markets and a heavy police presence to prevent further violence. Protesters argued that the term ‘Baba’ has specific cultural connotations that should not be used by non Hindus for commercial purposes.
This counter protest turned the spotlight on the deep seated polarisations currently affecting the region and the risks faced by those who choose to intervene.
Police Intervention
To manage the unrest, the Pauri Garhwal police, led by SSP Sarvesh Panwar, registered three separate FIRs. The first was filed against the individuals who harassed the elderly shopkeeper. The second FIR addressed the protesters who blocked the national highway, causing public disruption.
A third FIR was registered against Deepak Kumar himself, following a complaint by a local activist alleging that he had used offensive language during the initial argument.
Authorities have since held peace meetings with community elders to ensure that the dispute does not spiral into larger communal violence while the investigation continues.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that the courage shown by Deepak Kumar is exactly what our society needs to preserve the spirit of coexistence. Protecting a vulnerable elderly citizen from a mob is not an act of religious defiance but a fundamental act of kindness and civic duty.
It is deeply concerning that a thirty year old shop name can suddenly become a catalyst for hate and legal battles. We must champion the voices of those who choose empathy over division. True patriotism lies in upholding the dignity of every fellow Indian, ensuring that fear never dictates how we live or do business.
