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Rahul Gandhi on Monday met ‘Mohammad’ Deepak in Delhi, who made headlines after defending a Muslim shopkeeper during a communal dispute in Kotdwar.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami took a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after the latter met ‘Mohammad’ Deepak. (PTI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for meeting Kotdwar gym trainer Deepak Kumar, who called himself ‘Mohammad Deepak’ while shielding a Muslim trader from a mob.
Rahul Gandhi on Monday met ‘Mohammad’ Deepak in Delhi, after the latter defended a shopkeeper during a communal dispute, which he said severely affected his livelihood. Gandhi heaped praises on the gym trainer, saying he protected the Tricolour and the Constitution.
Reacting to the meeting, Dhami remarked that Gandhi paid no attention to the gym owner when he was ‘Deepak’, but invited him to an iftar party as soon as he added ‘Mohammad’ to his name.
“Just a few days ago, here in your neighbourhood, Kotdwar, an incident happened. No matter what someone puts before their name, what do we have to do with it? They add “Mohammed” to their name, the prince of the Congress Party invites them to his palace and organises Iftar parties for such people with their supporters,” he said during an event in Pauri Garhwal.
#WATCH | Pauri Garhwal: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, “Just a few days ago, here in your neighborhood, Kotdwar, an incident happened. No matter what someone puts before their name, what do we have to do with it? They add “Mohammed” to their name, the prince of the… pic.twitter.com/Dlbv6KGVF1— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026
“When he was Deepak, and you didn’t invite him, but as soon as he added ‘Mohammed’ to his name, you invited him to an Iftar party,” he added.
Rahul Gandhi’s Meeting With Deepak
Earlier, Deepak Kumar said Gandhi had called him and asked to meet him. “Rahul Gandhi ji had called me to meet him. He spoke to my family and explained to me that there is no need to fear, you have not done anything wrong,” Deepak said.
Speaking after the meeting, Deepak said Gandhi personally invited him to Delhi, interacted with his family, and reassured him that he had done nothing wrong. “He told me not to be afraid and said he would visit Kotdwar and take membership at my gym. That would be a matter of great happiness for me,” he said.
Praising the gym trainer, Rahul Gandhi said, “Crores of people carry goodwill and love in their hearts, but fear too. Deepak has shown them a way with his courage. Those who try to scare society by spreading hatred are actually cowards. Don’t fear them, ever.”
What Happened In Uttarakhand?
Deepak made headlines on January 26 when he confronted a mob pressuring a Muslim man to change his shop’s name. The shop is called Ahmed’s Baba School Dress & Matching Centre. The shopkeeper reportedly refused, leading to an argument that later escalated.
Deepak alleged that the shopkeeper was targeted over the use of the word “Baba” in the shop’s name and claimed the issue was later given a communal colour. He confronted the mob, saying, “My name is Mohammed Deepak, what’s it to you?”
Deepak’s confrontation with the mob led to protests. His gym membership dropped from 150 to 15 following the incident.
Pauri, India, India
February 26, 2026, 15:57 IST
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