“₹40,000 Monthly Rent, One Income Family": How ‘Mohammad’ Deepak’s Gym Was Hit After Kotdwar Row
Kotdwar, Uttarakhand: A gym run by fitness trainer ‘Mohammad Deepak‘ in Kotdwar has suffered a massive drop in membership following a controversy that erupted after he intervened to protect a Muslim shopkeeper from alleged harassment on Republic Day.
Deepak’s gym, which earlier had around 150 active members, now sees barely 15 people walking in each day. The sharp decline follows calls for a boycott after a video of Deepak went viral on social media, where he calmly introduced himself as “Mera naam Muhammad Deepak” while standing up to a mob outside a local shop.
The incident occurred on January 26, when activists allegedly pressured a 30-year-old clothing shop, Baba School Dress, owned by a Muslim tailor, to change its name.
As tensions rose, Deepak stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating. His intervention was recorded and widely shared online, triggering both praise and backlash.
Soon after, Deepak became the target of threats and social media campaigns calling for people to stop supporting his gym.
Speaking to the media, Deepak said the boycott has had a severe financial impact on his family.
“The gym runs on rent of ₹40,000 per month, and our house loan EMI is ₹16,000. This is our only source of income. Half the town supports me, but people hesitate to show it openly. Honesty might come at a price,” he said.
He added that fear among locals has contributed to the falling footfall, even though some long-time members have assured him they will continue. “Membership turnover is high. Once people leave, it’s very difficult to bring them back,” he said.
In a show of solidarity, Kerala Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas visited Deepak’s gym and took a one-year membership worth ₹10,000. He also met Deepak’s family and assured legal and political support.
Brittas described Deepak as a role model who stood for love, fraternity, and constitutional values at a time of growing division, and highlighted the financial losses he has faced due to the boycott.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Police have provided security to Deepak and increased deployment in Kotdwar following reports of threats. Deepak has expressed disappointment over the lack of concrete action against those who allegedly threatened him but remains hopeful.
“I still believe I did nothing wrong. Support is coming from outside the town. Locally, things are slow, but I believe they will improve,” he said.
