Deepak Kumar Kashyap, the Kotdwar resident who shot to nationwide prominence earlier this year after being dubbed “Mohammad Deepak” on social media, has been arrested again. This time, the gym operator has landed behind bars following a confrontation with a saree shop owner in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand.
A video circulating on social media shows Deepak Kumar threatening the shopkeeper. Acting on the viral video and a complaint filed by the trader, Kotdwar police reportedly took Deepak into custody. Apparently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had earlier hailed Mohammad Deepak as a ‘symbol of love.’
According to reports, the latest controversy began with comments exchanged on Facebook. What started as a social media argument escalated when Deepak went to a saree shop located on Ganga Dutt Joshi Marg in Kotdwar. A heated argument followed, during which the shopkeeper alleged that Deepak threatened him.
The trader subsequently approached Kotdwar police and submitted a complaint. Police then initiated action against Deepak and arrested him. The development has reportedly triggered anger among sections of local traders and BJP workers, with a substantial police presence deployed around Kotdwar police station amid concerns over tensions surrounding the incident.
Who is ‘Mohammad Deepak’?
Deepak Kumar, who runs a gym in Kotdwar, first attracted widespread attention on January 26, 2026, following a controversy involving the name of a local shop.
The dispute concerned a shop operated by a Muslim trader, Shoaib Ahmed, under the name “Baba School Dress and Matching Centre.” According to reports, some residents objected to the use of the word “Baba”, citing its religious significance in Kotdwar, where Siddhabali Baba is an important religious and cultural figure. The objection led to a confrontation involving several people.
During the ensuing argument, Deepak reportedly arrived at the spot along with Youth Congress district president Vijay Rawat and others. When someone asked Deepak his name, he responded by calling himself “Mohammad Deepak”, apparently in a sarcastic manner. A video of the incident subsequently went viral, and the unusual name quickly became associated with him online.
Notably, he has a problematic history. OpIndia’s investigation revealed his links to a Dubai-based businessman, Chand Maula Baksh, who regularly organised bodybuilding events for him.
A viral post by Mohammad Deepak called those who describe the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack as Muslims “chutti@”. In a comment on the same post, he says that “if the terrorists took off the pants of Hindu men before killing them, then what did they take off the women?”
While Rahul Gandhi has described him as a “Mohabbat Ki Dukaan” warrior, Mohammad Deepak’s history is marred by a one-sided pro-Islamist narrative.
