Mohammad Deepak Struggles to Pay Rs 2 Lakh Gym Rent as Family Survives on Mother’s Tea Stall in Kotdwar
Deepak Kumar, a 38-year-old gym owner from Kotdwar in Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal district, who became widely known as “Mohammad Deepak” after he was seen defending a Muslim shopkeeper during a January 26 incident, is now facing severe financial hardship. According to a phone conversation with Aaj Tak, Deepak said rising debt and relentless economic pressure forced him to shut down his gym. He said the business no longer remains sustainable and that he has been left with few options.
Deepak’s family depends on the household income. His mother runs a tea stall in Kotdwar, while his wife and daughter live with them. He said the gym, which once had around 150 members, lost most of its clientele after the controversy surrounding the January incident. The sudden drop in membership sharply reduced his earnings and made it difficult for him to pay both rent and the monthly bank EMI. The gym’s monthly rent was Rs 40,000.
Deepak said the unpaid rent has now crossed Rs 2 lakh, prompting the landlord to ask him to vacate the premises. He added that some lawyers had helped him earlier, but that support was not enough to resolve the situation over the long term. He said he had not shared his struggles with anyone until now, and admitted he has no alternative but to leave the gym space within 15 days.
His financial situation has also affected the equipment and machines installed inside the gym. Deepak said he does not know where he could move them or how he could restart operations under the current conditions. Looking ahead, he said he will first try to find a job and then attempt to return to work as a trainer, which is the line of work he did before setting up the gym.
Deepak came into the national spotlight after a video from January 26 went viral, showing him allegedly confronting members of right-wing groups while defending a 70-year-old Muslim shopkeeper. The incident turned him into a symbol of humanity and communal harmony for many social media users. At the same time, he also faced strong opposition from Bajrang Dal the next day, and tensions spread in Kotdwar and nearby areas. The episode triggered intense political debate across the country, and the video was viewed by millions online.
In February, Deepak met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who publicly praised his courage and described his gym as a “shop of love.” Gandhi also discussed increasing the gym’s membership. Many social media users had posted in support of Deepak and praised his stand. Now, however, the man once celebrated for his courage is struggling to keep his life and livelihood afloat amid mounting debt and uncertainty.
