Kotdwar Shop Name Controversy: ‘Mohammad Deepak’ Stands Up Against Bajrang Dal Protest

Kotdwar, Uttarakhand: A heated dispute erupted in Kotdwar over the naming of a shop, drawing attention on social media and prompting police to intervene. The incident involved members of a Hindu nationalist organization protesting the use of the name “Baba” on a Muslim-owned store.

The Incident
The controversy centered on a clothing store, Baba School Dress & Matching Centre, operated by Shoaib Ahmed on Patel Marg. Some Bajrang Dal activists objected to the shop’s name, claiming it encroached upon religious sentiments associated with the nearby Baba Siddhbali temple. The protest escalated as the activists demanded that the store owner change the name. Shoaib Ahmed stated that the shop had operated under this name for 30 years, and his name was also displayed on the signboard. A local elder offered to remove the board if it offended anyone.

During the confrontation, an employee at a nearby gym intervened. Introducing himself as Mohammad Deepak, he opposed the activists, questioning why a Muslim-owned store could not be named “Baba.” He pointed out that many shops use the name “Baba” and noted that it is also associated with Muslim spiritual figures (Pir Baba).

Clash and Resolution
The debate intensified into a physical altercation, with Deepak and his associates ultimately forcing the activists out of the shop. The incident occurred on 26 January, and no formal complaints have been filed by either side. Kotwali police, led by officer Pradeep Negi, confirmed that an investigation is underway, emphasizing that anyone attempting to disrupt communal harmony would not be spared.

Background Context
Kotdwar is home to the revered Baba Siddhbali temple, dedicated to Hanuman Ji in his Siddh form. Locals and devotees from across Uttarakhand and India hold the temple in deep respect. Many shopkeepers and establishments in Kotdwar prefix “Baba” to their names as a mark of faith. The area has strong cultural ties to the Nath tradition, to which the temple belongs, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is also a prominent Mahant of this lineage.