A gym owned by Deepak Kumar, who also goes by the name Mohammad Deepak, has experienced a significant decrease in clientele following his intervention in a situation involving a 70-year-old Muslim shopkeeper in Kotdwar. Kumar reported that his gym, which previously attracted around 150 members daily, now sees only about 12 to 15 visitors each day.

January 26 Confrontation Sparks Online Attention

The incident occurred on January 26, when Kumar confronted a group pressuring the elderly shopkeeper to alter the name of his shop by removing the term “Baba.” During this confrontation, Kumar introduced himself as Mohammad Deepak, which later drew attention as a video of the incident spread online, leading to what he described as unwanted notoriety.

Bajrang Dal Protest and Police Intervention

On January 31, a number of individuals affiliated with the Bajrang Dal protested against Kumar, although their efforts were halted by local police. Kumar stated that the aftermath of this confrontation had severely impacted his business. “People are scared after the January 31 incident,” he noted.

Business Losses and Financial Strain Mount

Discussing the financial implications of the situation, Kumar explained that his gym is situated on the second floor of a rented property, with a monthly rent of Rs 40,000. He emphasized that the gym is his family’s sole source of income. Additionally, he has been managing a loan repayment of Rs 16,000 per month for a house he built six months prior.

Impact on Health and Family Life

Kumar also mentioned that the stress from these developments has adversely affected his health and family life. “My health deteriorated, though I am feeling somewhat better now,” he said, adding, “My daughter stopped going to school after the incident. For the last two days, she has started going again, but only with me.”

Clients Stop Visiting After Protest Incident

According to Kumar, on January 31, members of the Bajrang Dal entered his gym while it was occupied by both male and female clients. “They witnessed the entire incident. They got scared and subsequently stopped coming to the gym,” he explained.

Hope Amid Uncertainty for Business Revival

Despite the current challenges, Kumar remains optimistic about the future of his business. “I believe that after some time, those members will return to the gym,” he stated.

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