Forced to shut gym over Rs 2.2 lakh rent dues, says ‘Mohammad’ Deepak

DEHRADUN: Months after standing up to members of right-wing groups who heckled a Muslim shopkeeper, 70, in Kotdwar city of Pauri Garhwal district, Deepak Kumar, 38, popularly known as 'Mohammad' Deepak, said on Monday that he had been forced to shut his gym after pending rent crossed Rs 2 lakh despite a countrywide show of solidarity.

Kumar had been running the gym for the past five years and had nearly 150 members before the Jan 26 incident. The number fell to 15-20 after a video of him confronting the group went viral and several right-wing groups later gathered near his gym. The membership rose again after people from different parts of the country, including public figures and lawyers, came forward in support.

"I was paying a rent of Rs 40,000 per month by running my gym. I had constructed my house last year by taking a home loan of Rs 20 lakh from the bank. But after the drastic dip in members of the gym out of fear, I was facing a difficulty to pay the monthly bank EMI of Rs 17,000 as well as the rent," Kumar told TOI over phone from Kotdwar on Monday.

He said the pending rent had risen to Rs 2.2 lakh. "While I was struggling to earn my livelihood, I received some financial help from some people including some SC lawyers. I had used that amount along with some loan from my friends to repay some of my bank loan. But now, my landlord's patience has reached the threshold. He told me the rent has been pending for too long and he has been approached by other potential tenants. I have decided to vacate the space in 15 days," Kumar said.

Asked about his future plans, Kumar said he would look for a job. "Before opening my own gym, I used to work as a trainer at someone else's gym. Will try to go back to a similar job till I am able to get back in a position to restart my own gym."