Rahul Gandhi Hails Kotdwar’s Deepak as India’s Hero; Security Assured After Tensions Rise

Kotdwar, Uttarakhand: The controversy over the naming of a shop as ‘Baba’ in Kotdwar, Pauri Garhwal, has escalated, drawing national attention. Bajrang Dal activists had protested against the shop owner, Shoaib Ahmed, who claims to have run the store for 30 years, pressuring him to change the name. During the standoff, Deepak, a local gym employee, intervened and confronted the activists. The incident triggered counter-protests by right-wing groups, raising tensions in the town.

Amid this, Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP and former Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, extended his support to Deepak. He described him as “a hero of India” for standing up for constitutional values and humanity.

In a post on social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi wrote that Deepak is fighting for the Constitution—a Constitution that, he claimed, the BJP and RSS are conspiring to undermine daily. “Deepak is a living symbol of a shop of love in a marketplace of hatred, and that is what unsettles those in power,” Gandhi said.

He further alleged that the RSS deliberately spreads economic and social harm to divide the nation, while the Uttarakhand BJP government openly supports antisocial elements that intimidate citizens. Gandhi emphasized that no country can progress amid hatred, fear, and chaos. “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,” he wrote.

Security Assured to Deepak
Following the rising tensions, Deepak released a video confirming that the police administration has assured him of protection. Starting the video with “Jai Siyaram,” Deepak said that after an attack on him the previous day, police officials called him in and assured him that such incidents should not occur. He expressed gratitude for the support and urged the public to maintain harmony.

Deepak also conveyed that the administration had promised that no similar incidents would happen in Kotdwar again. He thanked those who had supported him and requested patience from the large number of people seeking to meet him, assuring them they would have the opportunity when the time is right.