Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday met Uttarakhand-based gym owner Deepak Kumar, popularly known as “Mohammad Deepak”, at the Delhi residence of senior party leader Sonia Gandhi. Rahul expressed his support to Deepak for stepping in to protect a Muslim shopkeeper from alleged harassment.Congress leader Vaibhav Walia and Deepak’s associate Vijay Rawat were also present at the meeting held at 10 Janpath. Deepak also met Sonia briefly during the interaction, which the party projected as an endorsement of his stand.In a message shared later, Rahul emphasised the need to promote equality and communal harmony, saying every individual must be treated the same regardless of identity. He described Deepak’s actions as an example of courage, and said such values should guide young people across the country.Deepak told reporters that he was invited by Rahul, who appreciated his intervention and introduced him to Sonia. He further said that the Congress leader also spoke to his wife over the phone and conveyed encouragement, saying he intended to visit Kotdwar and enrol at his gym as a gesture of support.Walia linked the development to the Congress’s broader political messaging, and said that Deepak’s actions reflected the idea of unity promoted during the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’. He said the incident also aligned with the party’s continued emphasis on countering division through public engagement and outreach.