Gym owner in India hailed after defending Muslim shopkeeper

On 26 January in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, gym owner Deepak Kumar intervened when a 70-year-old Muslim trader was reportedly pressured to change his shop name; a video of the exchange went viral and Mr Kumar later said he received threats. A group of senior advocates and other supporters have offered sponsored memberships and pro bono legal help, while police say inquiries are ongoing.

A man in Uttarakhand intervened on 26 January after an elderly Muslim shopkeeper was reportedly pressured over his shop name. The intervention and a reply in which the man gave the name "Mohammad Deepak" were captured in a video that circulated widely online. The episode drew both public backing and criticism in the town of Kotdwar. Key details: - Witnesses and reports say a group had asked the 70-year-old trader to change his shop name because of his religion, and the gym owner stepped in to object to that treatment. - The gym owner, Deepak Kumar, reported receiving threats afterwards and said his gym membership numbers dropped, while a group of senior advocates sponsored annual memberships and several lawyers offered pro bono legal help. - Police have been notified: inquiries are ongoing, and a separate case was registered following a complaint by the shopkeeper. Summary: The incident has prompted both local tensions and public offers of support for Mr Kumar, including financial backing and legal assistance from lawyers and senior advocates. Police say inquiries are ongoing; the next legal or procedural steps are undetermined at this time.