The use of bulldozers has already become a powerful and controversial image and by tying it with slogans of love and loyalty, the BJP has touched a raw nerve
NEW DELHI — Lucknow has once again become the centre of a political storm after BJP Yuva Morcha General Secretary Amit Tripathi putting up posters saying ‘I Love Yogi Ji’ and ‘I Love Bulldozer’. The posters, displayed prominently near Samta Muluk Square and Raj Bhavan Square, feature photographs of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and a bulldozer – a symbol many Muslims believe represents state-backed harassment of their community.
Muslim residents have condemned the move, describing it as a calculated attempt to provoke them. “This is not just a poster. It is a message aimed directly at Muslims, telling us that the bulldozer is against us,” said Mohammad Salim, a local shopkeeper.
The new controversy comes at a time when ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters have been appearing in various states, prompting counter-posters from Hindu groups with slogans like ‘I Love Mahadev’. This poster war has led to protests across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat. In several places, police used lathi-charge to disperse crowds, arresting Muslim youths who were supporting the ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign.
In the Ali Khan area of Uttarakhand, violent clashes between protesters and police escalated last week. Soon after, bulldozers were used to demolish several Muslim houses, deepening fear within the community.
“Why is it that only our homes and shops are demolished? The bulldozer has been turned into a weapon against Muslims,” asked Ayesha Begum, a resident of the affected locality.
The bulldozer has become a central image of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s administration. While officially presented as a tool against illegal encroachments, its frequent use in Muslim neighbourhoods has given it a communal colour. Human rights groups and minority organisations have repeatedly called out what they describe as selective targeting.
Critics argue that the BJP’s celebration of the bulldozer openly communicates a message of intimidation. “The bulldozer is now being advertised like a badge of honour. For Muslims, it symbolises destruction of our homes and dignity,” said Imran Khan, a student activist in Lucknow.
Amit Tripathi, who is at the centre of the controversy, defended his move. Speaking to local media, he said: “There is nothing wrong in putting up these posters. The bulldozer represents action against the corrupt and those who break the law.”
Tripathi dismissed allegations of communal provocation, insisting: “This is about development and discipline. Those who call it an attack on Muslims are twisting the truth.”
However, Muslim leaders reject this explanation. “If the bulldozer truly stood for law, then demolitions would not happen selectively in Muslim colonies,” argued Maulana Farhan Qasmi, a cleric from Lucknow.
The fresh poster row has reignited fear among Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. For many, the slogan ‘I Love Bulldozer’ is not a celebration of justice but a reminder of trauma.
“We are being pushed against the wall. First, our faith is mocked, then our houses are torn down, and now our pain is turned into a poster campaign,” said Abdul Rauf, a community elder.
Civil rights activists have also criticised the police response to the ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign, pointing out that peaceful demonstrators were baton-charged, while provocative counter-campaigns receive political support.
The use of bulldozers has already become a powerful and controversial image in Indian politics. By tying it with slogans of love and loyalty, the BJP has touched a raw nerve. For Muslims, it reflects more than just political rivalry – it symbolises a campaign of intimidation against their identity and existence.
As one protester summed it up: “When they say ‘I Love Bulldozer,’ they are telling us very clearly – we love your destruction.”
