Hindu man who defended Muslim shopkeeper hailed as hero, legal and financial support pours in

A Hindu gym owner in India who intervened to defend a Muslim shopkeeper from harassment has emerged as a symbol of communal harmony, drawing widespread praise as well as threats, while legal professionals and citizens rally to support his livelihood.

According to the BBC, Deepak Kumar, a 42-year-old from Kotdwar in Uttarakhand, stepped in during a confrontation between members of Bajrang Dal and an elderly Muslim shopkeeper. His actions, captured on video and widely shared online, quickly turned him into a national figure.

Kumar said he was at a nearby shop on 26 January when he noticed a group of men confronting Vakeel Ahmed, the 68-year-old owner of a clothing store named "Baba School Dress and Matching Centre". The activists were demanding that he remove the word "Baba" from the shop's name, claiming it referred to a Hindu religious figure.

When he intervened, Kumar questioned them directly. "Are Muslims not citizens of India?" he is heard asking in the viral video.

Man who stood up for Muslim shopkeeper face police case in Uttarakhand

Later, when asked to identify himself, he responded, "My name is Mohammad Deepak." Explaining the remark, he said, "By identifying myself as Mohammad Deepak, I wanted to tell them that I'm an Indian. That this is India and everyone has the right to stay here, regardless of their religion."

He described his action as spontaneous. "I did not like these young men talking so rudely with an elderly man. They were targeting him because of his religion. They were targeting Muslims."

Ahmed said the situation could have escalated if Kumar had not intervened. "We were scared. They could go to any extent to get their point across."

The video has since propelled Kumar to national attention. Rahul Gandhi, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress, described him as "a hero of India" who is "fighting for the constitution and humanity". In a social media post, Gandhi added that Kumar was spreading "love in the marketplace of hate" and that "we need more Deepaks - those who don't bend, don't fear, and who stand with full strength with the constitution".

An article in The Indian Express said the video offered "lots of hope". It noted, "Deepak's words come as a shot in the arm in a society that often seems to have been overtaken by hatred and intolerance. They remind us that this is the 'real India', where everyone has the right to live and breathe as they please, and name their shop whatever they fancy."

However, the attention has come at a cost. Kumar said his family has been deeply affected. "They are afraid. And I'm under a lot of mental pressure now." He added that his once-busy gym has seen attendance collapse. "I used to have more than 150 people coming to train here daily. That number has now dwindled to 15. A lot of people are not coming because they are afraid."

He has also reported receiving threats. In one recorded call he shared, a caller warned, "Bajrang Dal shouldn't have spared you… I'll teach you a lesson soon."

Despite the risks, Kumar remains resolute. "I simply did what I thought was right. I never thought the matter would become so big. But now it's become national news." He added, "If we remain silent today, tomorrow our children will also learn the same silence."

As his gym struggled financially, support began pouring in from across the country. John Brittas, an MP from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), visited the facility and purchased a membership, describing Kumar as "a beacon of hope in the struggle against the Hindutva communalism".

A legal collective comprising 15 senior advocates of the Supreme Court of India has since stepped forward to help sustain his livelihood. Each has contributed Rs10,000 towards a one-year gym membership and pledged free legal assistance to support him in ongoing legal matters stemming from the incident.

"More than 20 lawyers have now joined this initiative, ensuring that Deepak has the best possible pro bono representation to challenge the legal repercussions of his January 26 stand for communal harmony," an advocate was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Public figures, including actor Swara Bhaskar and author Harsh Mander, have also encouraged people to buy gym memberships to help him stay afloat. Hundreds of social media users have expressed willingness to provide financial support, while some have suggested he start online training sessions.

Activist Avi Dandiya from Jaipur said he would sponsor one-month free memberships for the first 100 applicants at Kumar's gym, as a gesture of solidarity.