A viral video shows policeman calling the sticker objectionable; Muslims question police bias and double standards in religious expression
BAREILLY — A video from Uttar Pradesh showing a policeman calling an ‘I Love Muhammad’ sticker “objectionable” and issuing a fine has gone viral, causing widespread anger among Muslims and raising questions about police bias and religious discrimination.
The incident occurred when a Muslim youth, whose name has not been disclosed, was stopped by a traffic constable for having an ‘I Love Muhammad’ sticker on his motorcycle. According to the viral video, the officer termed the sticker objectionable and issued a challan (fine) against the rider.
In the video, the visibly shocked man can be heard asking the officer, “On what grounds are you fining me? Which law have I broken?” The policeman responds, “You’ve pasted an objectionable sticker on your vehicle.” When the man asks how ‘I Love Muhammad’ can be objectionable, the officer replies bluntly, “Yes, it is objectionable. Go and show it wherever you want to.”
The exchange has ignited a storm on social media. Thousands of users, particularly from the Muslim community, have shared the video with strong condemnation. Many described the officer’s remark as insulting to the Prophet Muhammad and demanded immediate action against the policeman.
“Calling the name of our beloved Prophet objectionable is nothing short of blasphemy,” wrote a local journalist on X. Another user commented, “If someone writes I Love Krishna or Jai Shri Ram on their vehicle, no one calls it objectionable. Why this bias only when it comes to Muslims?”
Community members have also tagged the Uttar Pradesh Police and the Chief Minister’s Office, asking whether the words ‘I Love Muhammad’ have now been officially banned.
So far, the police have not issued any formal statement regarding the incident, which has only added to public outrage. Senior officers have reportedly been briefed, but no disciplinary action has been announced.
A local Muslim activist said, “This shows the growing intolerance and discrimination against Muslims in the state. If someone expresses love for the Prophet, he is punished. But others can freely display their religious symbols. This is not equality under the law.”
The activist also pointed out that many Hindu motorists regularly display names of deities such as Shiva, Hanuman, or Ram on their vehicles, but no such fines are issued. “Selective enforcement only adds to mistrust between the police and the Muslim community,” he said.
Religious scholars and clerics have strongly reacted to the video, calling it a deliberate attempt to provoke Muslims. Maulana Arshad of Bareilly said, “Writing I Love Muhammad is a matter of faith and affection. How can love for the Prophet be called a crime? If the police think this is objectionable, they are insulting the entire Muslim community.”
He added that such incidents create unnecessary tension and polarisation. “The government should clarify whether expressing love for the Prophet is now illegal in Uttar Pradesh,” he said.
Within hours of being uploaded, the video spread across social platforms, gathering millions of views. Hashtags such as #ILoveMuhammad and #StopBias began trending, as users from across India demanded that the officer be suspended and that the fine be cancelled.
One user posted, “When police decide what kind of love is allowed, freedom dies.” Another commented, “If this is objectionable, then what’s left of our democracy?”
Observers note that the controversy follows recent tensions in Bareilly, where police had cracked down on a peaceful march in support of ‘I Love Muhammad’. In that incident, dozens were arrested and properties linked to Muslims were sealed or demolished, prompting accusations of religious targeting.
Rights advocates have warned that such actions could inflame communal divisions. “The police must act within the law, not out of prejudice. Punishing people for their faith symbols damages public trust,” said a member of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties.
The Muslim community is now demanding that the Uttar Pradesh Police issue an apology and take action against the officer responsible. Local leaders are also calling for sensitivity training among law enforcement officers to prevent similar incidents.
“If love for Prophet Muhammad is treated as a crime, it shows how far things have gone wrong,” said another Muslim youth from Bareilly. “We will continue to say I Love Muhammad proudly, no matter how many fines they issue.”
As outrage continues to grow, the silence of the authorities is being seen as complicity. The viral video has become more than just a case of one traffic fine — it has turned into a symbol of what many Muslims see as increasing hostility toward their faith.
“They can seal our shops, they can fine our bikes, but they can’t stop love from our hearts,” said an elderly shopkeeper from the city.
For now, the question echoing across social media remains unanswered: Since when did saying “I Love Muhammad” become a crime in India?
