“Deepak of Uttarakhand Is a Hero,” Says Rahul Gandhi, Hails His Courage Against Intolerance; Hits Out at BJP and RSS

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has extended full support to Deepak Kumar, a young man from Uttarakhand who stood up against the harassment of a Muslim shopkeeper. Gandhi described Deepak as a national hero, praising his courage and commitment to constitutional values.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rahul Gandhi wrote, “Deepak from Uttarakhand is a hero of India. He is fighting for the Constitution and humanity, values that the BJP and RSS are daily trying to undermine. In a marketplace of hatred, Deepak’s actions symbolize a shop of love, and that is what unsettles those in power.”

The former Congress president accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of deliberately spreading economic and social harm to divide the nation and rule through fear. “The BJP government in Uttarakhand is openly supporting antisocial elements who intimidate and harass ordinary citizens,” he added.

Gandhi emphasized the need for more individuals like Deepak: “No country can progress amid hatred, fear, and anarchy. Development without peace is just a slogan. We need more ‘Deepaks’—who do not bow, who do not fear, and who stand firmly with the Constitution. We stand with you, brother. Do not fear; you are a lion.”

The Incident
The controversy arose at Patel Marg in Kotdwar, where a clothing store named ‘Baba’ was allegedly targeted by Bajrang Dal activists seeking to pressure the Muslim shop owner, Mohammad Shoaib, into changing the store’s name. Deepak Chand, a local gym owner, intervened, confronting the activists and forcing them to leave. The incident has drawn widespread praise on social media for Deepak’s bravery.