‘I Love Muhammad’ posters removed at several places under pressure from Hindu groups, raising concerns over religious freedom, civic rights, and community harmony in Uttar Pradesh
NEW DELHI – The seemingly simple expression of faith has turned into a flashpoint for communal tension in the Uttar Pradesh city of Shahjahanpur on Sunday. Posters bearing the phrase ‘I Love Muhammad’ were displayed outside a local mosque in the Choodi Wali Gali area of Khutar. Within hours, members of Hindu groups arrived on the scene, creating a disturbance that forced the police to remove the posters.
Amrish Mishra, president of the local Uttar Pradesh Hindu Yuva Sangathan, lodged a complaint with authorities, prompting the swift action. “We cannot allow public displays that disturb the peace of the area,” he stated. However, members of the Muslim community expressed frustration, claiming the posters were a personal expression of faith, not a provocation.
One local Muslim shopkeeper, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “These posters were meant to show our love and respect for our Prophet. There was no intention to harm anyone or create trouble. We feel targeted.”
A similar incident unfolded in Kushinagar, where ‘I Love Muhammad’ banners in Gurwalia Bazaar and Khadda were reportedly removed after Hindu groups caused a public stir. Videos circulated widely on social media, showing young Muslims hanging posters in the area.
Local police urged residents to remain calm. A Kushinagar officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We are conducting a thorough investigation and ask everyone to maintain peace. Our priority is to prevent any clash between communities.” Despite the peaceful intentions, Hindu groups demanded the filing of FIRs against those responsible, increasing tensions.
In Fatehpur’s Abunagar area, authorities removed several small and large posters that had been placed along the route to a historical site. Hindu groups had previously claimed the site as a temple, creating further friction.
Administration officials emphasised that the removal of the posters was aimed solely at maintaining law and order. A district official remarked, “Our focus is to prevent any escalation. Posters have been removed to ensure safety, and we appeal to all residents to respect communal harmony.”
In Jaunpur, the Nagar Kotwali area witnessed a police crackdown following the display of ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters in Sheikh Mufti Mohalla. Police detained a man named Kaleem, alleging his involvement in pasting the posters.
However, Kaleem’s family insists his innocence. His wife and mother tearfully explained that two other young men from the neighbourhood were responsible. Kaleem’s brother, Aleem, said, “The posters have photographs of the actual boys who put them up. Kaleem has nothing to do with this, yet he was taken into custody.”
Residents expressed concern over what they view as disproportionate police action. “Our community is being unfairly targeted,” said a local community leader requesting anonymity. “A simple expression of love for the Prophet is now being treated as a crime.”
In Jhansi, authorities proactively engaged with Muslim-majority areas after receiving reports of similar posters. Police worked with residents to remove the banners peacefully, preventing further escalation. Videos show local youth participating in poster removal themselves.
SP City Preeti Singh confirmed, “The posters were taken down by the community members themselves, keeping in mind social harmony. There is currently no poster in the city, and peace has been maintained.”
In Ghaziabad, posters appeared in Kidwai Nagar and Adarsh Colony. Some Hindu groups, including Bajrang Dal, claimed the posters were provocative and registered formal complaints, demanding strict action. Police complied under pressure, removing the displays while beginning an investigation.
Bareilly saw heightened tension after a procession supporting ‘I Love Muhammad’ on 26 May led to police lathi-charge. Authorities detained scores of people, including Maulana Tauqeer Raza. On Sunday, police sealed two hotels and a farmhouse believed to have sheltered alleged agitators following Friday prayers.
An eyewitness noted, “People were merely expressing their love for the Prophet peacefully. The reaction was far too extreme. Hotels and homes were sealed without proper inquiry.”
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued a warning without naming any community. “Anyone attempting to disrupt law and order, attack citizens, or create mischief during festivals will be dealt with severely,” he said.
His remarks included an indirect reference to Muslims displaying posters: “These fools do not understand that respect for faith is shown through honour, not public displays. Faith is a matter of the heart, not the streets.”
The chief minister further criticised the involvement of youth, stating, “Children should be holding notebooks and pens, not ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters. Using them to spread disorder harms the fabric of society.”
Across Uttar Pradesh, Muslim residents and community leaders have voiced alarm over the consistent removal of posters and arrests. “This is not about law and order. This is about a community being targeted for peacefully expressing their faith,” said Ayesha Khan, a local social worker in Shahjahanpur. “Our children are being taught fear instead of faith. How can we grow in a society that criminalises love for the Prophet?”
Another resident of Kushinagar expressed frustration over social media narratives: “The viral videos make it look as if Muslims are the instigators. But we were quietly putting up posters to celebrate our religious festival. Yet, everywhere we face hostility.”
Legal analysts caution that actions against the Muslim youth may violate constitutional protections. Advocate Imran Siddiqui from Lucknow explained, “Freedom of religion and expression are fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution. Peaceful expressions, such as posters celebrating religious figures, fall within this right. Blanket removal under communal pressure raises serious concerns.”
The controversy over ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters has not remained confined to Uttar Pradesh. Videos and news reports have circulated nationwide, drawing attention to the tension between Hindu groups and Muslim communities. Observers warn that such incidents could have broader implications for communal harmony across India.
Community leaders are urging calm and dialogue. Maulana Shafiq, a religious scholar in Bareilly, stated, “We need to explain to authorities and our neighbours that our actions are not intended to provoke anyone. We celebrate our faith peacefully. Dialogue is the only way forward to avoid unnecessary conflict.”
Meanwhile, youth organisations within the Muslim community emphasise education and awareness. “Our children and young people must understand their rights,” said Fatima Bano, a social activist in Jaunpur. “We encourage responsible expressions of faith that do not invite misunderstanding, yet we cannot be silenced for simply loving our Prophet.”
As Uttar Pradesh navigates these tensions, authorities, civil society, and religious communities face the challenge of maintaining harmony while respecting constitutional rights. The ‘I Love Muhammad’ poster controversy highlights the delicate balance between law enforcement, political pressures, and individual freedoms in India’s largest state.
The unfolding events raise critical questions about freedom of expression, communal bias, and the protection of minority rights. Observers hope for dialogue, understanding, and a recognition that peaceful celebration of faith should never be criminalised.
