Courage in Kotdwar: How a local resident defended a Muslim shopkeeper against mob intimidation and restored faith in humanity.
Qalam Times News Network
Kotdwar (Uttarakhand) | February 1, 2026
Courage Against Intimidation: Kotdwar Resident Defends Muslim Shopkeeper
Courage became the defining moment on a busy street in Kotdwar when a local resident stood up against communal intimidation and defended an elderly Muslim shopkeeper facing harassment. The incident unfolded in Patel Marg, a mixed Hindu-Muslim commercial area of Kotdwar town in Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal district, where Shoaib Salmani, who has run his shop for over three decades, was confronted by a group of Hindutva activists.
The group, reportedly associated with Bajrang Dal, demanded that Salmani remove the word “Baba” from the signboard of his shop, popularly known as “Baba Shop” or “Baba School Dress and Matching Centre.” They alleged the name was misleading and inappropriate, despite the shop operating under the same name for nearly 30 years. Courage was tested as Salmani explained that the name was a long-standing brand identity and that he had even added his full name to the signboard after facing a similar confrontation four months earlier.
Threats, Resistance, and a Firm Stand
Eyewitnesses said members of the group used threatening language, with one individual reportedly telling the shopkeeper, “Remove the Baba name, or become a Baba yourself.” Despite repeated explanations, the pressure continued until a local resident, Deepak Kumar, intervened.
Deepak openly challenged the group, questioning their right to dictate the name of a private business. When asked about his own identity, he responded sharply, “My name is Mohammed Deepak. What do you have to do with my name?” His words visibly unsettled the group. With support from nearby shopkeepers and residents, the mob was eventually forced to leave the area.
A video of the confrontation soon went viral on social media, drawing widespread praise for Deepak’s bravery and moral clarity.
‘I Am a Human Being First’
Speaking later, Shoaib Salmani expressed gratitude, saying Deepak’s intervention showed that humanity still prevails when met with bravery. He added that after an initial complaint, the issue was resolved without further police action.
Deepak, in a brief statement, said he does not identify himself through religion. “I am neither Hindu nor Muslim nor Sikh. I am a human being first,” he said, condemning any attempt to target individuals based on faith and urging people to choose love over hate for the country’s future.
According to local reports, the following day saw renewed tension when right-wing workers from Rishikesh and Dehradun allegedly arrived in Kotdwar in large numbers, chanting religious slogans and attempting to confront Deepak. Police intervened promptly, dispersing the crowd and restoring order before the situation could escalate.
This incident stands as a reminder that individual acts of courage and solidarity can challenge mob mentality and communal pressure. In times of growing polarization, Kotdwar witnessed how one person’s resolve can protect dignity and reaffirm shared humanity.
