Rahul Gandhi hugged and supported Mohammed Deepak, who was embroiled in controversy, and said – ‘Such a flame should burn in every youth’

New Delhi: Gym operator Deepak Kumar, known as Mohammad Deepak, living in Kotdwar city of Uttarakhand, recently met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. This meeting took place in Delhi, where Rahul Gandhi hugged Deepak and praised his courage. Rahul said that a similar flame of unity and courage should burn inside every Indian youth.

Video went viral on social media

It all started on January 26, when an elderly Muslim shopkeeper in a market in Kotdwar was being pressured to remove the word ‘Baba’ from the name of his shop. During this, Deepak came forward and protested.

When he was asked his name during the debate, he said, "My name is Mohammad Deepak." This video spread rapidly on social media. Many people called it a good example of social harmony, while some expressed objection. Due to this, Deepak came into discussion at the national level.

Delhi | Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi meets Gym trainer Deepak, who defended Advocate Ahmed’s Baba School Dress & Matching Center in Kotdwar.

(Source: AICC) pic.twitter.com/TxuYQVQoru

— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2026

Deepak’s statement after the meeting

After the meeting, Deepak said that his courage was already there, but now it has increased four times. Rahul Gandhi called and called, which made him very happy. He told that he had not raised his voice against the wrong, but for the right thing. Rahul shared the photo on social media and wrote that every human being is equal, this is Indianness and this is the shop of love.

impact on gym

After the controversy, the atmosphere of Deepak’s gym changed. On January 31, some people demonstrated outside his gym, after which the number of members reduced from 150 to 12-15. Many people are not coming due to fear and say that they will return when the situation becomes better.

The gym is in a rented building on the second floor, where the monthly rent is Rs 40 thousand. Besides, the house loan also has to be repaid. Gym is the main source of income for the family, hence the financial problems have increased.

bad impact on family

Many senior Supreme Court lawyers took a one-year membership of Deepak’s gym, which gave him mental courage. The family was also affected. Deepak’s health deteriorated and his daughter did not go to school for a few days, but now she has started going again. Deepak says that he does not want to get into any controversy, he just wants to run his gym.