Indian Man’s Courage Inspires Nation and World Against Hate
In the state of Uttarakhand, India, a local Hindu man, Deepak Kumar, has become an overnight sensation on social media for standing up against extremist groups who were harassing a Muslim entrepreneur over the name of his store. The incident occurred on January 26, 2026, during the Hindu festival of Holi, when security measures were heightened, and local authorities ordered Muslim residents to stay indoors.
A group of Hindu nationalists from the Bajrang Dal had objected to the name of the store, “Baba School Garments,” citing that the word “Baba” was associated with Hindu religious traditions and should not be used by a Muslim businessman. However, Deepak Kumar, a 35-year-old businessman, intervened and introduced himself as Muhammad Deepak, providing evidence to convince the extremists to back down.
In an effort to educate the extremists, Deepak explained that the word “Baba” is used in various cultures and religions, and is not exclusive to Hinduism. His courageous stance has earned him immense popularity, with his social media followers increasing to over 9 million in just a week.
Deepak, a motorcycle trainer by profession, revealed that he was inspired by the death of a 35-year-old Muslim man who was killed by a mob of Hindu extremists in the town of Balasore. The victim had said that the greatest religion is humanity, as it is the actions of individuals that define their identity after death.
Since the incident, Deepak’s life has changed dramatically, with him receiving numerous phone calls and messages, many of which are supportive. However, the situation has also affected his livelihood.
