Uttarakhand High Court Issues Gag Order Against Gym Owner Amid Controversy
Court's Decision on Social Media Comments
On Friday, the Uttarakhand High Court imposed restrictions on gym owner Deepak Kumar, who had voiced his concerns regarding the harassment of an elderly Muslim shopkeeper by alleged members of the Bajrang Dal. The court prohibited him from making any comments on social media related to the ongoing cases, as reported by various news outlets.
Justice Rakesh Thapliyal, while refusing to dismiss the first information reports against Kumar, expressed concern that his social media activity could potentially interfere with the investigation. The judge criticized Kumar for frequently posting about the incident and delivering what he termed 'sermons' online.
Background of the Incident
Kumar had previously filed a petition seeking police protection and called for an inquiry into the actions of police officers who allegedly did not respond adequately to hate crimes. However, the court accused him of sensationalizing the situation and questioned how he could request protection while being implicated in a police case.
The incident in question occurred on January 26, when members of the Bajrang Dal confronted Vakeel Ahmed, an elderly Muslim shopkeeper in Pauri Garhwal district, over the use of the term 'Baba' in his shop's name. Kumar and another individual, Vijay Rawat, intervened, leading to their subsequent FIR.
Protests and Legal Proceedings
Following the incident, a group of approximately 40 individuals gathered outside Kumar's gym, chanting slogans against him and blocking a national highway. Kumar lodged a complaint against these protesters, but the police initiated a case based on a complaint from an officer regarding unidentified individuals involved in the protests.
During the court proceedings, the state government claimed that Kumar was not cooperating with the investigation and was instead preoccupied with social media. The judge instructed him to assist with the investigation and refrain from unnecessary online activity that could hinder the process.
Court's Ruling and Kumar's Statements
The court ultimately denied Kumar's request for protection and deemed his call for a departmental inquiry against police officers as 'wholly unwarranted' at this stage. The judge emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order during such incidents.
In a widely circulated video from the January 26 incident, Kumar is seen questioning why other shops could use the term 'Baba' while Ahmed's shop could not. He later clarified that he aimed to highlight equality before the law, stating, 'I am neither a Hindu, nor a Muslim, nor a Sikh, nor a Christian. First and foremost, I am a human being.'
Kumar further expressed that no individual should be targeted based on their religion, reinforcing his stance on equality.