The controversy ‘I Love Muhammad’, which started in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has led to protests and processions through the Muslim community in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Telangana and Maharashtra. Cities such as Unnao, Bareilly, Kaushambi, Luckknow, Maharajgan, Kashipur and Hyderabad have witnessed rallies and street demonstrations, some lead to collisions with the police.
The question arises: why has a slogan like ‘I Love Muhammad’ led to massobilization and unrest throughout the country?
The spark in Kanpur
The controversy started on 4 September during the Barawafat procession (EID-E-Milad-Un-un-Nabi) in Rawwatpur, Kanpur. A group placed a banner ‘I love Muhammad’ along the procession route. This led to objections from local Hindu groups, which claimed that a “new tradition” was introduced in a space that was traditionally used for Barawafat parties.
The police quickly intervened. According to DCP Dinesh Tripathi, the rules of the government prohibit the introduction of new habits in religious processions. While some people had removed the traditional tent and placed a new tent together with the banner, the police recovered the tent and signposting to the traditional location. No FIR was specifically submitted for the banner, clarified Tripathi.
Both Hindu and Muslim groups, however, accused each other of the cracking of posters during the incident, creating confusion despite police mediation.
Firs escalate the dispute
On 9 September, the Kanpur police registered matters against 24 people (9, 15 unknown) for alleged introduction of a new habit during the Barawafat procession and the disturbing common harmony. The case called the removal of the traditional tent and placement of the banner on a new site.
The controversy received wider attention after Aimim chef Asaduddin Owaisi had shared a post on 15 September and claimed that saying “I love Mohammed” was not a crime. He criticized the police action and tagged the Kanpur police, who caused a wider debate.
However, the Kanpur police claim that no FIR has been submitted for the banner himself; The cases relate to placing at a new location and damage the posters of another group. Authorities have urged the public not to distribute wrong information.
Spread to other districts
Disconnect
Following Kanpur, the youth organized processions in Unnao with ‘I love Muhammad’ banners and singing religious slogans. Some collisions occurred, including stones peeling in police staff, which led to 8 sparrings and 5 arrests. The local population clarified that the original FIR in Kanpur concerns damage to a poster, not the action of displaying the slogan itself.
Maharajgan
The police in Maharajganj have prevented a planned procession. A case was registered against 64 people (4 mentioned, 60 unknown) under relevant sections of the IPC. Various vehicles were also seized to prevent escalation.
Kaushambi
In Kaushambi, a viral video showed that young people sang slogans, including “Sar Tan se Judah …”. The video led to indignation between Hindu groups, and the police held dozens of people, including minors, for interrogation. Authorities clarified that the video showed offensive slogans in response to the Kanpur -Spar, not the original banner himself.
Luck
In Luckknow, Muslim women held a peaceful demonstration to Gate 4 of the Vidhan Bhavan, which raised slogans to support the Prophet Mohammed. Social activist Sumaiya Rana criticized the FIR and called it an attempt to intimidate people to express constitutional freedoms.
Protests reach other states
Nagpur
In Mominpura, Nagpur, protests were held under the leadership of Vaseem Khan, head of the City Minority Department Congress. Participants from several political parties and social groups expressed opposition against hatred against the prophet Mohammed and emphasized the freedom of religious expression.
Uttarakhand (Kashipur)
In Kashipur, Udham Singh Nagar District, an unauthorized procession in the Ali Khan area led to collisions with the police, stones and damage to public ownership. SP Abhay Singh said that the crowd has created chaos, but fast police action brought the situation under control within a few hours, thereby preventing great loss or disruption for local companies. Various persons involved are identified and investigated.
Responses from politicians and religious leaders
The controversy has led to various reactions:
- Samajwadi Party (SP) spokespersons claim that the police failure caused the protests and defended freedom of expression, whether it is “I love ram” or “I love Mohammed.”
- BJP spokespersons emphasize that any attempt to target the police or violate the law will take immediate action.
- Religious leaders, including Maulana Sufiyan Nizami, Jamat Raza-E-Mustafa and the World Sufi Forum, have condemned violence, call for calmness and emphasized the need to respect the constitutional rights while maintaining the common harmony.
- All India Majlis-E-ittaul Muslimeen (Aimim) President Asaduddin Owaisi has framed the issue as a matter of religious freedom and expression. He tagging the police of Kanpur on X and wrote: “say” I love Mohammed “is not a crime. If so, I accept a punishment. But Muslims should not be punished for expressing love and respect for the prophet.”
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