The police in Uttarakhand have filed a case against two Hindu men who opposed the harassment of an elderly Muslim shopkeeper by alleged Bajrang Dal members in the Pauri Garhwal district, The Hindu reported.

A mob had on January 26 arrived at the shop of Vakeel Ahmed, objecting to him using the word “Baba” in the name of his shop. Two Hindu men, a gym owner named Deepak Kumar and another person named Vijay Rawat, objected to the mob’s actions, after which they were asked not to intervene.

The FIR against Kumar and Rawat was filed on the basis of a complaint by two persons named Gaurav Kashyap and Kamal Pal, The Hindu reported. While Kashyap is reportedly a member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Pal is a member of the Bajrang Dal.

Subsequently, a group of about 40 persons gathered near Kumar’s gym and shouted slogans against him, The Indian Express reported. The protestors also blocked a national highway.

The police filed a case against unidentified persons in connection with the protests, and filed an FIR against two named and several unidentified persons on the basis of a complaint by Ahmed.

The case filed against Kumar and Rawat is based on a complaint by the VHP and Bajrang Dal members that they stole their watches and money, and hurled casteist abuses at them, The Hindu reported.

The FIR filed on the basis of Ahmed’s complaint invokes provisions pertaining to trespassing, intentional insults to provoke breach of peace, criminal intimidation, and causing hurt.

In a video of the incident that was later widely shared on social media, Kumar is seen questioning the group on why other shops are allowed to use the word “Baba” but Ahmed’s shop is not, The Indian Express reported. He is also heard saying that the shop is over 30 years old and asking whether its name should now be changed.

When asked his name, Kumar replied, “My name is Mohammad Deepak.”

“I intended to convey that I was an Indian and that everyone is equal before the law,” Kumar told the newspaper.

Kumar subsequently posted a video on Instagram, in which he said: “I am neither a Hindu, neither a Muslim, neither a Sikh, nor a Christian. First and foremost, I am a human being. Because after I die, I have to answer to God and to humanity, not to any religion.”

He said that no one, whether a Hindu or a Muslim, should be targeted for their religion.

The filing of the FIR against Kumar and Rawat sparked criticism from several social media users, who said that Kumar was being targeted merely for speaking up for humanity and opposing the intimidation of a Muslim citizen.

Commenting on the matter, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that Kumar was fighting for the Constitution and humanity.

“The Sangh Parivar is deliberately spreading economic and social poison across the country so that India remains divided and a few individuals can continue to rule through fear,” Gandhi said in a social media post. “The BJP government in Uttarakhand is openly supporting anti-social forces that are engaged in intimidating and harassing ordinary citizens.”