‘From 150 members to 12’: Uttarakhand gym owner counts cost of becoming ‘Mohammed Deepak’ India News

NEW DELHI: A gym in Uttarakhand’s Kotdwara that once attracted over 150 members has dwindled to a dozen patrons after its owner was embroiled in a controversy last month after a clash with Bajrag Dal members.Deepak Kumar, 42, who runs the ‘Hulk’ gym, said his business has been affected since he faced off against Bajrang Dal activists protesting against a clothing store called ‘Baba’ and introduced himself as ‘Mohammad Deepak’ during the altercation.“Earlier, more than 150 people used to train at my gym. Since this dispute started, the number has reduced to just 12 or 15 people,” Kumar told news agency PTI, adding that many regulars had left to avoid getting caught up in the tension.The dispute began on January 26 when Bajrang Dal activists staged a protest outside the ‘Baba’ clothing store in Patel Marg, demanding that the 70-year-old owner Vakil Ahmed change the name of the store. Clashes broke out between protester Ahmed and Kumar, a friend of Ahmed’s son, prompting police to intervene.On January 31, more activists gathered again outside the store and Kumar’s gym, blocking roads and raising signs. The police took control of the situation and subsequently 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 stepped up security precautions to prevent the situation from escalating further. 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.