New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi On Monday, he met gym owner Deepak Kumar, also known as “Mohammed Deepak”, in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, to confront Bajrang Dal members who allegedly harassed an elderly Muslim shopkeeper for using “Baba” – a Hindu term the right-wing group claimed – in the shop’s name.In a social media post on“Deepak is a warrior of ‘Mohabbat ki dukaan’ – the entire country is proud of him,” it added.In January, Bajrang Dal activists staged a protest outside the ‘Baba’ clothing store on Patel Marg, demanding that the 70-year-old owner Vakil Ahmed change the name of the store.Clashes broke out between protesters, Ahmed and Deepak, a friend of Ahmed’s son, prompting police to intervene. The situation was brought under control and the police later registered three separate FIRs in connection with the incidents.Tensions rose again after a video circulated by the Hindu Raksha Dal showed a man threatening to travel to Kotwala to “teach Deepak a lesson” on February 12.The local government has strengthened security precautions to prevent further escalation of the situation. Additional Inspector General of Police Chandra Mohan Singh said no one should disturb the peace of the town and warned of strict action against those who tried to incite riots.
