I Love Muhammad controversy

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The “I Love Muhammad” controversy refers to protests and clashes across India in September 2025, triggered after banners reading “I Love Muhammad” were installed during a Barawafat procession in Kanpur and elsewhere. What began as a dispute over poster placements allegedly escalated after stone pelting by some protestors, destruction of other religious posters, and counter-reactions, compelling police to act under law to restore order.[1][2]


Background[edit | edit source]

The controversy originated in Rawatpur, Kanpur, where on 4 September 2025 a light board or banner bearing “I Love Muhammad” was installed in Zafar Wali Gali, under the jurisdiction of Rawatpur Police Station. The FIR (as cited in OpIndia) states that this was a new practice introduced by the organizers of the Muslim community’s Barawafat event, replacing the traditional tent arrangement used earlier years.[2]

The local Hindu residents objected, claiming that religious posters belonging to their community, which had been placed along roads in Hindu localities, were deliberately torn or destroyed by unidentified Muslim youths participating in the procession. The FIR alleges that during the 5 September procession, people in a vehicle wielded sticks to damage those posters, aiming to incite communal disturbance.[2]

Kanpur police reportedly intervened by removing or relocating the lightboard/banner and restoring the traditional tent arrangement. The FIR indicates that CCTV footage was procured, showing the alleged actions, and that police say the FIR was not registered just over the banner but over acts of destruction and unrest.[2]

Hence, according to this version, the controversy was not about the slogan alone, but about "acts of damaging other religious symbols" as well, which the FIR frames as disturbing public order.[2]

POLICE COMMISSIONERATE KANPUR NAGAR 𝕏
@kanpurnagarpol

Hindi: #खण्डन- थाना रावतपुर क्षेत्रान्तर्गत सैयद नगर मोहल्ले से बारावफात का एक परंपरागत जुलूस निकलना था। मोहल्ले के कुछ लोगों द्वारा परंपरागत स्थान से हटकर टेंट, पोस्टर व बैनर लगाये गये। जुलूस के दौरान इसमें शामिल कुछ युवकों द्वारा दूसरे सम्प्रदाय के धार्मिक पोस्टर को फाड़ दिए जाने से साम्प्रदायिक तनाव की स्थिति उत्पन्न हो गई। इस प्रकरण में थाना रावतपुर पर अभियोग पंजीकृत किया गया, जिसके उपरान्त यह मामला सोशल मीडिया पर गलत तथ्यों के साथ वायरल हुआ। आज दिनांक 23.09.2025 को इस घटना के संबंध में पुलिस आयुक्त श्री अखिल कुमार महोदय के साथ कानपुर शहर के मुफ्ती साकिब अदीब मिस्बाही शहर क़ाज़ी, हाफ़िज़ अब्दुल कुददूस हादी शहर क़ाज़ी, क़ारी मोहम्मद सगीर आलम हबीबी नायब शहर क़ाज़ी, मौलाना असग़र अली यार अल्वी खतीबो इमाम जामा मस्जिद रावतपुर द्वारा मुलाकात कर चिंताएं व्यक्त की गईं। पुलिस आयुक्त महोदय ने स्पष्ट किया कि मुकदमा "I love Mohammad" लिखे बैनर को लगाने पर नही लिखा गया है बल्कि गैर परम्परागत स्थान पर टेंट, पोस्टर व बैनर लगाने और दूसरे समुदाय के धार्मिक पोस्टर को फाड़ने के कारण FIR लिखी गयी है। उनको FIR भी पढ़वाई और बताया कि जो विरोध हो रहा है वह गलत तथ्यों पर हो रहा है। पुलिस आयुक्त महोदय द्वारा उन्हें आश्वस्त किया गया कि मामले की गहराई से जांच की जा रही है जो व्यक्ति दोषी नही है मुकदमें से उनके नाम हटा दिए जाएंगे तथा जो भी वास्तविक उपद्रवी पाए जाएंगे उनके विरुद्ध कठोरतम विधिक कार्यवाही की जाएगी।

Rebuttal – A traditional Barawafat procession was scheduled to pass through the Sayyad Nagar locality under Rawatpur police station area. Some residents of the locality, deviating from the traditional route and place, put up tents, posters, and banners. During the procession, a few youths participating in it tore down religious posters belonging to another community, which created a situation of communal tension. In this regard, an FIR was registered at Rawatpur police station. Subsequently, the incident was circulated on social media with misleading and incorrect information.

On 23-09-2025, in connection with this incident, the Commissioner of Police, Shri Akhil Kumar, was called upon by Mufti Saqib Adeeb Misbahi, City Qazi; Hafiz Abdul Quddus Hadi, City Qazi; Qari Mohammad Sagheer Alam Habibi, Naib City Qazi; and Maulana Asgar Ali Yar Alvi, Khateeb and Imam of Jama Masjid, Rawatpur, who expressed their concerns. The Commissioner of Police clearly explained that the FIR had not been registered for putting up a banner inscribed with "I love Mohammad", but rather for putting up tents, posters, and banners at a non-traditional site and for tearing down another community’s religious posters. The FIR was also read out to them, and it was explained that the ongoing protest was based on incorrect facts. The Commissioner of Police assured them that a thorough investigation of the matter is being carried out. Names of those who are not guilty will be removed from the case, while strict legal action will be taken against all those found to be actual miscreants.

23 September 2025[3]

Commissioner Kumar clarified that the FIR was not filed due to the banner’s message but because tents, posters, and banners were put up at a non-traditional location in Syed Nagar, a route typically used for Ram Navami processions. Additionally, the FIR cited the tearing of posters of another community. Responding to criticism, Kanpur Police emphasized that the FIR was unrelated to the banner’s wording and promised a thorough investigation. Kumar also posted on X, stating: “Names of those not guilty will be removed from the case, and strict legal action will be taken against actual miscreants.”[2]

Escalation[edit | edit source]

After Kanpur, protest activity spread to Uttar Pradesh districts and other states. Some rallies remained peaceful, others turned volatile.

In Bareilly, on 20 September, supporters of cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan held a procession after Friday prayers. Reports state that stones were thrown at police and rival groups. Police responded with lathi-charge and tear gas to disperse the crowd.[4][5] Later, police arrested over 40 people including members of Ittehad-e-Millat Council linked to Khan.[6]

In Unnao, protests carrying “I Love Muhammad” banners reportedly turned confrontational; stone pelting occurred and police filed FIRs and made arrests.[7]

In Uttarakhand’s Kashipur, an unauthorized procession was held with the slogan. Vandalism and stone pelting were reported; police arrested the alleged mastermind and dismantled illegal structures using bulldozers.[8]

In Gujarat (Gandhinagar, Godhra), protests clashed with Navratri celebrations. Stone pelting was reported; authorities detained dozens.[9][10]

In Maharashtra’s Beed, protests over the slogan reportedly turned violent, with arrests and police deployment.[11] In Ahilyanagar, police lathi-charged protestors after a rangoli with “I Love Muhammad” was drawn outside a temple, which led to communal tensions.[12]

Beyond public protests, tensions extended to social media. In one reported case in Uttar Pradesh, a Hindu youth who set “I Love Mahadev” as his WhatsApp status was attacked by a Muslim mob. Police later intervened and registered a case against the attackers.[13]

In Ghaziabad, Hindu groups objected to posters and banners with the slogan being displayed in several neighborhoods. Police removed multiple installations after complaints from Bajrang Dal workers.[14]

Police action[edit | edit source]

Authorities in UP and elsewhere stressed their intervention was according to law. In Kanpur, police say they removed the banner, relocated the installation, and restored the prior tent layout rather than allowing new custom changes.[2]

In the Kanpur FIR, police claim the case was not about the “I Love Muhammad” board per se, but about acts of destruction and sedition or disturbance of harmony.[2]

Where protests turned violent (e.g. Bareilly, Unnao, Kashipur), police used force such as lathi-charge and tear gas. Officials justify these actions as necessary responses to stone pelting and damage to public order, not for peaceful protest or slogans alone.[15][16]

In Kashipur, illegal structures linked to protesters were demolished by bulldozer action. Police arrested organizers and claimed swift containment.[17]

Across states, more than 1,300 people have been booked under 20+ FIRs for offences such as disturbing peace, destruction of property, and unlawful assembly.[18] Flag marches along with heightened deployment have been used to deter further escalation.[19]

Police statements reiterated that their actions were directed only at unlawful activity. They underlined that peaceful displays of faith were not targeted, but stone pelting, poster destruction, and unlawful assemblies required intervention under the law.[2]

Political reactions[edit | edit source]

Some leaders, including AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi and Omar Abdullah, defended the slogan as a matter of religious expression and criticized blanket FIRs.[20] Some Hindu organizations responded with counter slogans and marches, particularly “I Love Mahadev,” to counter what they saw as provocative acts.[21][22]

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned stone pelting incidents and directed strictest action against “rioters,” while urging citizens not to fall for misinformation on social media.[23] The Congress party accused the BJP government of selective policing and demanded restraint and dialogue instead of bulldozer action.[24]


Timeline[edit | edit source]

Date Location Event/Details Police / Legal Response
4 September 2025 Kanpur Banner “I Love Muhammad” set up in Rawatpur, replacing tradition Police removed or relocated board and restored traditional tent layout.[2]
5 September 2025 Kanpur Hindu religious posters destroyed along procession route per FIR FIR cites that anonymity and CCTV evidence used.[2]
9 September 2025 Kanpur FIR filed against 24 people for disturbing harmony, introducing new custom Arrests made; sections under IPC.[1][2]
20 September 2025 Bareilly Stone pelting during procession; protests turn violent Police respond with lathi-charge, tear gas.[25][26]
20 September 2025 Unnao Procession carrying slogan turns confrontational; stone pelting reported FIRs filed, arrests made.[27]
21 September 2025 Kashipur, Uttarakhand Unauthorized procession, vandalism, stone pelting Police arrest mastermind; bulldozer action on illegal structures.[28]
22 September 2025 Gujarat (Gandhinagar, Godhra) Protests conflict with Garba celebrations; slogans clash Dozens detained; police action.[29]
22 September 2025 Maharashtra (Beed) Protests over slogan escalate Arrests and additional security mobilized.[30]
23 September 2025 Uttar Pradesh (WhatsApp incident) Youth attacked over “I Love Mahadev” status Police registered case against attackers.[31]
24 September 2025 Nationwide Over 1,300 booked, 21 FIRs filed Flag marches, crackdown, arrests in many states.[32]
25 September 2025 Bareilly Over 40 people, including members of Tauqeer Raza Khan’s outfit, arrested Police probe cleric’s role, outfit under scanner.[33]
25 September 2025 Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra Rangoli with “I Love Muhammad” outside temple sparks protest Police resort to lathi-charge, disperse mob.[34]
26 September 2025 Ghaziabad Hindu groups protest “I Love Muhammad” posters Police remove posters after Bajrang Dal complaints.[35]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "What is 'I Love Muhammad' row and why it sparked protests across India". India Today. 22 September 2025.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 "Kanpur: Read the truth behind the "I Love Muhammad" poster controversy". OpIndia. 20 September 2025.
  3. ↑ POLICE COMMISSIONERATE KANPUR NAGAR [@kanpurnagarpol] (23 September 2025). "#खण्डन- थाना रावतपुर क्षेत्रान्तर्गत सैयद नगर मोहल्ले से बारावफात का एक परंपरागत जुलूस निकलना था। मोहल्ले के कुछ लोगों द्वारा परंपरागत स्थान से हटकर टेंट, पोस्टर व बैनर लगाये गये। जुलूस के दौरान इसमें शामिल कुछ युवकों द्वारा दूसरे सम्प्रदाय के धार्मिक पोस्टर को फाड़ दिए जाने से साम्प्रदायिक तनाव की स्थिति उत्पन्न हो गई। इस प्रकरण में थाना रावतपुर पर अभियोग पंजीकृत किया गया, जिसके उपरान्त यह मामला सोशल मीडिया पर गलत तथ्यों के साथ वायरल हुआ। आज दिनांक 23.09.2025 को इस घटना के संबंध में पुलिस आयुक्त श्री अखिल कुमार महोदय के साथ कानपुर शहर के मुफ्ती साकिब अदीब मिस्बाही शहर क़ाज़ी, हाफ़िज़ अब्दुल कुददूस हादी शहर क़ाज़ी, क़ारी मोहम्मद सगीर आलम हबीबी नायब शहर क़ाज़ी, मौलाना असग़र अली यार अल्वी खतीबो इमाम जामा मस्जिद रावतपुर द्वारा मुलाकात कर चिंताएं व्यक्त की गईं। पुलिस आयुक्त महोदय ने स्पष्ट किया कि मुकदमा "I love Mohammad" लिखे बैनर को लगाने पर नही लिखा गया है बल्कि गैर परम्परागत स्थान पर टेंट, पोस्टर व बैनर लगाने और दूसरे समुदाय के धार्मिक पोस्टर को फाड़ने के कारण FIR लिखी गयी है। उनको FIR भी पढ़वाई और बताया कि जो विरोध हो रहा है वह गलत तथ्यों पर हो रहा है। पुलिस आयुक्त महोदय द्वारा उन्हें आश्वस्त किया गया कि मामले की गहराई से जांच की जा रही है जो व्यक्ति दोषी नही है मुकदमें से उनके नाम हटा दिए जाएंगे तथा जो भी वास्तविक उपद्रवी पाए जाएंगे उनके विरुद्ध कठोरतम विधिक कार्यवाही की जाएगी।" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 01 October 2025 – via Twitter. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |archive-date= (help)
  4. ↑ "Stone pelting triggers lathi-charge in Bareilly amid I Love Muhammad row". Republic. 20 September 2025.
  5. ↑ "Bareilly clashes after Friday prayers over I Love Muhammad". State Mirror. 20 September 2025.
  6. ↑ "Over 40 arrested after Bareilly violence; cleric's outfit under police scanner". India TV News. 25 September 2025.
  7. ↑ "Unnao chaos erupts during I Love Muhammad procession". Jagran. 22 September 2025.
  8. ↑ "Kashipur "I Love Muhammad" procession violence: police arrest mastermind". OpIndia. 23 September 2025.
  9. ↑ "I Love Muhammad vs I Love Mahadev sparks violence during Garba in Gandhinagar". NDTV. 23 September 2025.
  10. ↑ "Stones pelted in Gujarat, Karnataka over "I Love Muhammad"". Livemint. 23 September 2025.
  11. ↑ "Maharashtra protests over I Love Muhammad banners". Free Press Journal. 23 September 2025.
  12. ↑ "Ahilyanagar protests after rangoli with I Love Muhammad outside temple; police lathi-charge". TV9 Marathi. 25 September 2025.
  13. ↑ "I Love Muhammad vs I Love Mahadev: youth attacked over WhatsApp status". Organiser. 24 September 2025.
  14. ↑ "Ghaziabad police remove "I Love Muhammad" posters after protests". ABP Live. 26 September 2025.
  15. ↑ "Bareilly police lathi-charge after Friday prayers as protestors pelt stones". News18. 20 September 2025.
  16. ↑ "Raised slogans, pelted stones: UP Police on Bareilly clash". Hindustan Times. 20 September 2025.
  17. ↑ "Kashipur "I Love Muhammad" procession violence: police arrest mastermind". OpIndia. 23 September 2025.
  18. ↑ "21 FIRs, over 1300 Muslims booked in "I Love Muhammad" protests". Maktoob Media. 23 September 2025.
  19. ↑ "Flag march in Bareilly after clerics' protest call". PTI. 23 September 2025.
  20. ↑ "Saying "I Love Muhammad" is not a crime: Owaisi, Omar Abdullah criticise FIRs". Illustrated Daily News. 23 September 2025.
  21. ↑ "Saints in Varanasi respond with "I Love Mahadev" march". NewsTrack. 24 September 2025.
  22. ↑ "Mumbai Hindu groups plan "I Love Mahadev" gatherings". Free Press Journal. 23 September 2025.
  23. ↑ "Yogi Adityanath warns against violence, orders strict action on "I Love Muhammad" rioters". Times Now. 25 September 2025.
  24. ↑ "Congress says BJP polarising with "I Love Muhammad" row". Deccan Herald. 25 September 2025.
  25. ↑ "Stone pelting triggers lathi-charge in Bareilly amid I Love Muhammad row". Republic. 20 September 2025.
  26. ↑ "Bareilly clashes after Friday prayers over I Love Muhammad". State Mirror. 20 September 2025.
  27. ↑ "Unnao chaos erupts during I Love Muhammad procession". Jagran. 22 September 2025.
  28. ↑ "Kashipur "I Love Muhammad" procession violence: police arrest mastermind". OpIndia. 23 September 2025.
  29. ↑ "I Love Muhammad vs I Love Mahadev sparks violence during Garba in Gandhinagar". NDTV. 23 September 2025.
  30. ↑ "Maharashtra protests over I Love Muhammad banners". Free Press Journal. 23 September 2025.
  31. ↑ "I Love Muhammad vs I Love Mahadev: youth attacked over WhatsApp status". Organiser. 24 September 2025.
  32. ↑ "21 FIRs, over 1300 Muslims booked in "I Love Muhammad" protests". Maktoob Media. 23 September 2025.
  33. ↑ "Over 40 arrested after Bareilly violence; cleric's outfit under police scanner". India TV News. 25 September 2025.
  34. ↑ "Ahilyanagar protests after rangoli with I Love Muhammad outside temple; police lathi-charge". TV9 Marathi. 25 September 2025.
  35. ↑ "Ghaziabad police remove "I Love Muhammad" posters after protests". ABP Live. 26 September 2025.
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