'From 150 members to 12': Uttarakhand gym owner counts cost of becoming 'Mohammad Deepak'

NEW DELHI: A gym in Uttarakhand's Kotdwara that once drew more than 150 members has seen its clientele shrink to barely a dozen after its owner became embroiled in a controversy after he confronted Bajrag Dal members last month.Deepak Kumar, 42, who runs the 'Hulk' gym said his business has suffered since he confronted Bajrang Dal activists protesting against a garment shop named ‘Baba’ and identified himself as 'Mohammad Deepak' during the altercation."Earlier, over 150 people used to train at my gym. Since this dispute began, the number has come down to just 12 or 15," Kumar told news agency PTI, adding that many regulars were staying away to avoid being drawn into the tension. The dispute began on January 26 when Bajrang Dal activists staged a protest outside the ‘Baba’ clothing store on Patel Marg, demanding that its 70-year-old owner, Vakil Ahmed, change the shop’s name. Clashes broke out between the protesters, Ahmed, and Kumar, who is a friend of Ahmed’s son, prompting police intervention.On January 31, a larger group of activists again gathered outside the shop and Kumar’s gym, blocked the road and raised slogans. The situation was brought under control by the police, who later registered three separate FIRs in connection with the incidents.Tensions flared again after a video circulated by the Hindu Raksha Dal showed a man threatening to march to Kotdwara on February 12 to “teach Deepak a lesson”.The local administration has stepped up security to prevent further escalation. Additional Superintendent of Police Chandra Mohan Singh said no one would be allowed to disturb peace in the town and warned of strict action against those attempting to incite trouble.