Muslim community calls for immediate police action as suspicions of a wider conspiracy grow
NEW DELHI/PRAYAGRAJ — A disturbing video from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh showing some individuals stepping on a poster bearing the sacred Islamic Kalima (declaration of faith) and the Saudi Arabian national flag has sparked outrage in the Muslim community. The poster was deliberately placed on a busy road in the city. The sacrilegious act, captured on video, is being widely condemned as an attempt to incite communal disharmony.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir and the resultant Operation Sindoor targeting militant hideouts in Pakistan. The timing and nature of the act seem a deliberate attempt to provoke the Muslim community and disrupt social peace in the area.
The video, which surfaced on various social media platforms, shows a few men walking over the Saudi flag printed on a poster. Alongside the flag is the Islamic declaration of faith — “La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasulullah” — considered one of the most sacred phrases in Islam. The deliberate act of stepping on the Kalima, filmed and shared publicly, has drawn strong criticism from various quarters, especially from Muslim leaders and civil society groups.
“This is not just an insult to Islam but a deliberate provocation meant to hurt the feelings of Muslims,” said Maulana Rashid Qasmi, a senior cleric from Prayagraj. “Those responsible must be arrested immediately. We want peace, but if such actions are allowed to go unchecked, it could lead to serious consequences.”
Prayagraj residents echoed similar sentiments. Mohammad Irfan, a shopkeeper in the locality where the poster was found, said, “I have never seen such hatred. We have always lived in harmony here. But now it feels like someone is trying to set fire to our neighbourhood with such cheap tricks.”
Several Muslim organisations have alleged that this incident is not an isolated one but part of a larger pattern aimed at targeting Muslims and testing their patience. They say such acts are often timed around major political or religious events to distract the public and create an atmosphere of fear and division.
Sabir Hussain, a member of the local Peace Committee, questioned the motives behind the act. “Why would anyone print a flag with such a holy Kalima and throw it on the street unless they wanted to provoke Muslims? This is not ignorance — this is a well-planned move. The police must investigate it seriously and expose the people behind it.”
Another local activist, Shabana Parveen, said, “Whenever elections are near or when there’s pressure on the government due to other issues, some people try to create religious tension. We’ve seen this pattern before. We urge the administration not to take this lightly.”
After the video went viral, local police officials visited the spot and removed the offensive poster. However, the delay in action and silence from higher authorities have further fuelled public anger.
On Friday, large groups of people gathered outside the district collector’s office, demanding that a case be registered under strict sections of law and that those responsible be arrested without delay. Leaders of various Muslim groups also submitted a memorandum to senior police officials.
Speaking to reporters, Advocate Faheem Akhtar, a community leader, said, “If the government can take action within hours when the sentiments of any other group are hurt, then why are we being made to wait? Are our feelings not equal? We demand justice.”
The Prayagraj Police have confirmed they are looking into the matter and have registered a case against unknown persons under sections related to promoting enmity between communities and hurting religious sentiments.
“We are examining the video footage and trying to identify the persons involved,” said SP (City) Dinesh Kumar. “We appeal to people to remain calm and not fall for rumours. The law will take its course.”
Despite the statement, community leaders say they expect more than just routine assurances. They are calling for a high-level investigation and accountability.
The incident has also drawn reactions from political leaders, some of whom have criticised the administration for not acting fast enough.
Dr Mohammad Tahir, a former member of the Legislative Council, said, “There is no doubt that this was done to disturb the peace in Prayagraj. The delay in arresting the culprits is encouraging others to think they can get away with such acts.”
However, no senior political leader from the ruling party has issued any public comment on the matter, which has added to the anger among the locals.
Prayagraj, once known for its mixed culture and peaceful coexistence, has in recent years seen an increase in communal incidents. This latest episode has reminded many of the need for stronger efforts to maintain peace and harmony.
Residents have appealed to both communities not to fall for provocations and to maintain calm.
“We must not let a few people destroy our centuries-old unity,” said Mohammad Rizwan, a retired teacher. “But the administration must send a strong message that such hatred will not be tolerated.”
As tensions continue, community elders are planning to hold peace meetings and outreach programmes, especially among the youth, to counter the hatred being spread on social media.
The deliberate targeting of religious sentiments under the pretext of a political conflict is dangerous for any society. In Prayagraj, this act has not only insulted the religious beliefs of millions but has also tested the resilience of peaceful coexistence in a city with a long history of shared culture.
The people of Prayagraj now wait to see whether justice will be done — or whether this incident, like many before it, will disappear without any real action.
As Zubair Ahmed, a university student, put it plainly: “We are Indians, and we respect every religion. But when our religion is insulted and no one speaks up for us, it breaks our trust. Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.”
