'Mohabbat ki dukaan ka yoddha': Rahul Gandhi meets ‘Mohammad Deepak’, man who confronted Bajrang Dal members
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKFebruary 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, met Mohammad Deepak, a gym owner from Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, who gained attention for confronting Bajrang Dal members. These members were harassing an elderly Muslim shopkeeper over the use of the word "Baba" in his store's name, which they claimed was a Hindu term. The meeting, highlighted by the Indian National Congress on X, celebrated Deepak as a symbol of unity and courage, inspiring resistance against injustice and hatred.
The conflict began when Bajrang Dal activists protested outside Vakil Ahmed’s shop, demanding its closure due to the use of "Baba." Clashes erupted between the protesters, Ahmed, and Deepak, a friend of Ahmed's son, leading to police intervention. Three FIRs were filed following the incident. Tensions resurfaced when a video from Hindu Raksha Dal threatened to target Deepak, prompting local authorities to enhance security in Kotdwar to prevent further escalation.
This incident underscores the broader issue of communal tensions and the importance of standing against hate speech and injustice. By meeting Deepak, Rahul Gandhi emphasized the value of unity and courage in addressing such conflicts. The case highlights the ongoing struggles between religious groups over cultural symbols and the need for peacekeepers like Deepak to uphold harmony, making it a significant story for readers interested in global human rights and social justice issues.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/23/2026