Uttarakhand: FIR Filed Against Man Who Protested Harassment of Muslim Shopkeeper in Kotdwar
Kotdwar | February 3, 2026 | DeccanLive.com
Kotdwar in Uttarakhand has witnessed rising tension after police registered cases linked to the alleged harassment of a Muslim shopkeeper and the protests that followed.
The issue began on January 26, when activists linked to right-wing organisations allegedly objected to the name of a shop owned by Ahmed Wakeel, an elderly Muslim man who runs Baba School Dress and Matching Centre in Kotdwar. They reportedly pressured him to change the shop’s name.
Seeing this, Deepak Kumar, who runs a gym nearby, and Vijay Rawat stepped in to support the shopkeeper and opposed the harassment.
FIRs Registered by Police
According to police, three FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident.
- One FIR has been filed against Deepak Kumar and Vijay Rawat, accusing them of rioting, criminal intimidation, deliberately causing injury, and disturbing public peace.
- Another FIR was registered based on a complaint by the Muslim shopkeeper, Ahmed Wakeel, against two named persons and some unidentified individuals for harassment and threats.
- A third FIR was filed against unknown right-wing group members for blocking a national highway on January 31 while protesting in front of Deepak Kumar’s gym.
Police said all three FIRs were registered on Saturday evening (January 31, 2026).
What the Complaints Say
According to the complaint filed by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, Deepak Kumar and Vijay Rawat allegedly attacked them with intent to kill, abused them using caste-based slurs, and snatched money, phones, and watches.
The complainants claimed they were visiting the area as part of a door-to-door awareness campaign.
However, Deepak Kumar strongly denied these allegations and accused the administration of acting in a biased manner.
Deepak Kumar’s Version
Speaking to the media, Deepak Kumar said that around 150 Bajrang Dal workers from Dehradun reached Kotdwar and gathered outside his gym, shouting slogans and creating chaos.
“They abused me and used offensive words against my family. I was removed from the area, but they continued protesting for four to five hours,” he said.
Deepak also stated that his life is under threat and questioned why police filed an FIR against him while those who harassed the Muslim shopkeeper were roaming free.
How the Situation Escalated
A video of the incident went viral on social media. In the video, when the crowd asked Deepak his name, he replied, “I am Mohammad Deepak.” After this, tensions escalated further.
On Saturday, a large number of right-wing activists protested outside Deepak’s gym, raised slogans, and even blocked a national highway, causing traffic disruption.
Police later registered a case against 30 to 40 unidentified people for disturbing law and order and communal harmony.
Police Response
A senior police officer said that all cases are being investigated fairly and strictly according to the law.
“We are examining video footage and other evidence. Statements of all involved persons are being recorded. No one will be spared if found guilty,” the officer said.
Police have also increased deployment in sensitive areas of Kotdwar to prevent further unrest. The public has been urged to maintain peace and avoid sharing unverified information on social media.
Political Reactions
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, praised Deepak Kumar in a post on social media platform X.
He wrote that Deepak is standing for the Constitution and humanity, calling him “a symbol of love in the marketplace of hatred.” He accused the BJP and Sangh Parivar of spreading fear and division in the country.
Senior Congress leader in Uttarakhand, Suryakant Dhasmana, demanded immediate security for Deepak Kumar and expressed concern over the worsening law-and-order situation in the state.
Growing Concerns in Uttarakhand
In recent months, Uttarakhand has seen multiple reports of minorities being harassed, including incidents involving Kashmiri shawl sellers. Civil society members have questioned why people who support communal harmony are being targeted instead of those spreading hatred.
Many have urged the administration to focus on protecting citizens, ensuring safety, and maintaining communal harmony.
