'I Love Muhammad' Protests: 1,300 Face FIR, 38 Arrested — Here's What We Know

Protests also turned into chaos in Bareilly (UP) on Friday, 26 September.

The controversy over the ‘I Love Muhammad’ banner began in Kanpur, UP, and the police have registered an FIR in this case.

(Photo: The Quint)

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In Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur, a controversy erupted after a banner reading “I Love Muhammad” was put up during the celebrations of Barawafat (Eid Milad-un-Nabi). The police registered an FIR (First Information Report) against Muslims. In the wake of this, protests have broken out in several states including UP, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat.

Protests also turned into chaos in UP's Bareilly on Friday, 26 September. In Saharanpur, a Muslim was taken in by the police for holding 'I Love Muhammad' poster on the same day.

According to APCR’s report, by 23 September, 21 FIRs have been registered across the country against 1,324 Muslim people, out of which 38 have been arrested.

APCR's report.

(Photo: APCR)

On Sunday, 21 September, during a procession with ‘I Love Muhammad’ banners in Unnao (UP) and Kashipur (Uttarakhand), clashes took place between the police and protesters. In Unnao, the police arrested 5 people, while in Uttarakhand 8 people were arrested.

How Did This Controversy Begin in Kanpur?

In Kanpur’s Syed Nagar, under the Rawatpur police station area, preparations were underway on 4 September for Barawafat (Eid Milad-un-Nabi). According to the FIR: "In the illumination program for Barawafat, a light board with ‘I Love Muhammad’ was placed on the road in front of the decorated gate. This had never been put up in the illumination program in previous years."

The FIR states: ‘The organizers of the program deliberately started a new tradition. Local residents objected, saying that the Muslim community was beginning a new practice which had never taken place in Syed Nagar before, and therefore it is not appropriate for it to happen this year either."

According to the FIR, on 5 September, during the Barawafat procession, some unidentified youths from the Muslim community tore down religious posters of the Hindu community that were put up along the route.

In addition, the FIR states that in Rawatpur village, at Kunnu Kabadi's residence, an attempt was also made to deliberately start a new tradition by putting up an ‘I Love Muhammad’ banner, which created a situation of communal clash and tension.

In this matter, the police registered an FIR at Rawatpur police station on 10 September. The FIR, filed under Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), includes charges of promoting enmity between two groups and hurting religious sentiments. Eight people, including the organizers of the procession, have been named in the FIR.

On 4 September, an ‘I Love Muhammad’ banner was put up in Said Nagar, Kanpur.

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

FIR Not For Writing or Putting Up 'I Love Muhammad' Banner

DCP West of Kanpur, Dinesh Tripathi, said in a statement: "The traditional Barawafat procession was to take place in the Rawatpur police station area. Residents of the neighborhood put up a tent and an ‘I Love Muhammad’ banner away from the traditional location. One group objected to this. Later, by mutual agreement between the two groups, the banner was placed at the traditional location."

Dinesh Tripathi claimed that the FIR was not filed over writing ‘I Love Muhammad’ or the banner, but rather over putting up a tent away from the traditional location and the tearing of one community’s posters by the other community during the procession.

'Neither Was Any Tent Put Up, Nor Any Religious Poster Torn'

In a conversation with The Quint, Imam Shabnur Alam rejected the police’s claims, saying, "Neither was a tent put up there, nor was any religious poster torn. This FIR is completely baseless and fake."

He further said, "Every person has the right to follow their own religion. The Constitution also allows this. While staying within the bounds of the law, we had carried out the decorations. We even had official permission for it. Yet, despite this, the police have filed an FIR against us."

Imam Shabnur has demanded the FIR be canceled.

Social activist Dr Nisar Ahmad said, "We are witnesses to this. We live in the same area. This is happening right in front of me. The fact is, there are some mischievous elements there who try to spoil the atmosphere every time. Whether it’s a festival or any event, a person named Mohit Vajpayee tries to create obstacles in it.’

Responding to the police’s claims, Dr Ahmad said, "First of all, 'I Love Muhammad" can be written anywhere. How can there be a right or wrong place for it? Secondly, it is being said that religious posters were torn. The truth is that people didn’t go to any other lane at all. They stayed within a one-kilometer area. Neither any vehicles were involved, nor were those people present there."

According to Dr. Nisar, the police have not made any arrests in this matter so far. Meanwhile, the Sarvadharma Mahasabha has submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate in the name of the Governor, demanding that the case be investigated by an SIT.

Regarding this matter, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi wrote on the social media platform X on 15 September: "'I Love Muhammad,' Kanpur police, is not a crime. But if it is, I accept every punishment for it."

Asaduddin Owaisi's post on X.

(Photo: X/Twitter)

"No Objection To Writing 'I Love Muhammad,' But..."

In an interview with The Quint, Advocate Mohit Vajpayee said that he has no objection to writing ‘I Love Muhammad.’

He said, "Why would I have any objection to writing 'I Love Muhammad'? Under the Constitution of this country, all religions have equal rights. However, at the place where the 'I Love Muhammad' banner was put up, our Ram Navami banner, flag, and gate are usually displayed there."

He continued:

“I had said that you can put it up at the traditional place, where banners/boards have always been placed—there’s no problem. However, do not start a new tradition by putting it up at a new location. This is because the Chief Minister has given clear instructions that no new tradition in the name of festivals can be started anywhere in the state."

Mohit said that he is an active worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and an organizer of the Syed Nagar Ram Navami Committee.

He further explained, "On 5 September, during the procession in Rawatpur village, the religious banners of the Hindu community put up in Pappu Sah’s lane were deliberately torn. The police were present at the scene. To prevent law and order from breaking down, the police allowed the procession to continue. There is a video of this as well."

'Procession in Unnao; 5 People Arrested'

Allegedly, in support of what happened in Kanpur, some Muslims held a procession in Unnao on Sunday, 21 September. This procession took place in Manohar Nagar, under the Gangaghat Kotwali area. During this, clashes occurred between the police and the protesters.

Those participating in the procession have been accused of stone-pelting. The FIR stated, "The crowd obstructed police work, used abusive language, and issued death threats. Stones were also thrown."

The police have registered a case under Sections 191(2), 191(3), 352, 351(3), 132, 125, 126(2), 221, 109 of the BNS, and Section 7 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, against 8 named and 25–30 unidentified people.

A copy of the FIR registered in the Unnao case.

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

Additional Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Singh said, "Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code is applicable in Unnao. Under this, permission must be obtained for any procession or event. Such processions or events cannot be held without permission."

"The police arrived after receiving information about the procession. During this, some women and men attempted to obstruct official work. In this connection, five people were taken into custody, and a case was registered and they were arrested."

Violence and FIR in Uttarakhand

In Kashipur, Udham Singh Nagar district, members of the Muslim community also held a procession on the evening of 21 September. In this case, the police have named 3 people.

According to the FIR, "A crowd of about four to five hundred people was coming from Alli Khan (Chowk) towards Valmiki Basti as a procession. Some people were carrying sticks. They got into scuffles with the police and began pushing and shoving. The crowd surrounded the police, started abusing them, and began hitting them."

Those participating in the procession have also been accused of obstructing official work, tearing the star flap on a police officer’s uniform, and vandalizing a police vehicle. The police have registered a case under Sections 191(2), 191(3), 121(1), 132, 221, 352, 351(2), 324(3), and 190 of the BNS.

Vandalism in a police vehicle during the procession in Kashipur.

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

SSP of Udham Singh Nagar, Manikant Mishra, said, "A procession was held in Kashipur without permission, in which about 400 people participated. This began to create traffic and law-and-order problems. The police gave instructions to bring the situation under control and enforce the law…

"…but the crowd attacked the police and damaged a government vehicle. The police have arrested the mastermind of the incident, Nadeem Akhtar, along with seven others. Additionally, 10 more people have been taken into custody."

The SSP said, "Nadeem is being interrogated to find out who else is involved in spreading this religious frenzy."

'Some of Those Booked Associated With Samajwadi Party'

The named accused Nadeem Akhtar, Hanif Gandhi, and Danish Chaudhary were associated with the Samajwadi Party. According to media reports, Nadeem has previously contested municipal elections as an SP candidate. After the FIR, all three accused have been expelled from the party.

In a letter issued by District President Ravi Chhabra, it was stated, "The Samajwadi Party immediately expels Nadeem Akhtar, Danish Chaudhary, and Hanif Gandhi, who are spreading religious frenzy, from the party."

Official letter by Samajwadi Party.

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

The party has also distanced itself from the procession organized by the three accused. The party stated, "The Samajwadi Party has no connection with the programs and processions organized by these individuals. This was a private event by the three of them."

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, ‘It is very unfortunate to incite people and provoke riots in this manner. To provoke a particular community and spoil the atmosphere—this will not be tolerated at all in Uttarakhand."

'Police Arrested My Son As He Gave Statement to Media'

After the Kashipur incident, a person alleged that the police arrested his son for giving a statement to the media.

In a conversation with The Quint, Shakeel Ahmed said, "My son was present at Alli Khan Chowk. Journalists were also standing there. When a journalist asked him to say something, he mentioned the 'I Love Muhammad matter. After watching this video, the police came to our house at two in the morning. But my son was not at home at that time."

Shakeel Ahmed explains that his son, Mohammad Faisal, works at a shop. On Monday, when he went to the shop, he received a call from the police station. He called me to inform me about it. After that, he went to the police station, where the police detained him.

He further explains,

"At 1 o’clock, the police grabbed Faisal by the collar and brought him into the house, and started beating him with sticks. Then they continued beating him while taking him to their vehicle. They wanted to show that they had arrested Faisal from the house."

After the unrest in Kashipur, the administration is in action mode. On Tuesday, 23 September, bulldozers were used on illegal constructions in the Ali Khan area, and illegal electricity connections were cut.

District Officer Nitin Bhadoria said, ‘Action against encroachments is being carried out in such a way that it provides convenience for the people there, and also ensures that the roads are properly marked.

Bulldozer action on illegal constructions in the Ali Khan area

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

Protests Outside Lucknow's Vidhan Sabha

Earlier, on 20 September in Lucknow, several women led by SP leader and daughter of the late poet Munawwar Rana, Sumaiya Rana, protested outside Gate Number 3 of the Assembly with ‘I Love Muhammad’ banners.

In a conversation with The Quint, Sumaiya Rana said that one community is being targeted without reason. "Regarding what happened in Kanpur concerning 'I Love Muhammad,' we had prepared something like a memorandum. That is why we reached outside the Assembly," she said.

Sumaiya also accused the police of ‘misbehavior and physical assault.’ She said, "The police forcibly put the women into a van. There were also two girls aged 10 and 11. The police took them along with us. Imagine the impact this will have on the minds of these children."

Sumaiya Rana during the protest in Lucknow

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

Lucknow DCP Central, Ashish Srivastava, told The Quint that no FIR has been registered in this case.

He said, "Just as there is Jantar-Mantar in Delhi, there is Eco Garden in Lucknow. This place is designated for sit-ins and protests. If someone protests elsewhere, they are provided a free cab service to Eco Garden. The same procedure was followed in this case as well."

150 Booked in Baghpat

In Ratoul village of Baghpat district, a procession with ‘I Love Muhammad’ banners also took place last Sunday. According to the police, around 150 people participated in the procession, holding posters and chanting religious slogans. It is alleged that the procession was held without permission.

Copy of FIR filed in Bhagpat.

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

In this connection, the police have registered a case at Khedka police station under Section 223 of the BNS (violation of lawful orders of a public servant) against two named and 150 unidentified people. Additionally, four accused, including Haji Yunus and Haider, who were leading the procession, have been arrested.

Stone-Pelting At Godhra Police Station; 24 Arrested

In Godhra, Gujarat, on 19 September, a mob pelted stones at a police station and vehicles, after which the police responded with a baton charge. The entire dispute is actually connected to social media influencer Zakir Jabha.

According to an Indian Express report, Superintendent of Police Haresh Dudhat stated that the investigation revealed that Jabha ‘spread a rumor’ that the police had assaulted him.

The police had called him (Jabha) only to explain that he should not post any inflammatory content on social media during festivals. But he spread the rumour that he was called to the police station and tortured because he had posted in praise of his religion. This is completely false… He incited the crowd to violence and is currently absconding. The police have launched a search operation to catch him.

Haresh Dhudhat, SP

In fact, on 18 September, Jabha shared a reel on the social media platforms Facebook and Instagram featuring an ‘I Love Muhammad’ poster. On Instagram, it has been viewed by more than 300,000 people

On 18 September, Zakir Jabha shared a reel with an ‘I Love Muhammad’ poster.

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

In the case of stone-pelting and vandalism at the police station, the police have registered a case against 88 people. So far, 24 people have been arrested. The police have named Zakir Jabha as the main accused in this case.

(Input: From Uttarakhand: Abubakar; From Kanpur: Vivek Mishra; From Unnao: Jitendra Mishra; and From Lucknow: Ashhar Asrar)