In Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, police removed posters reading ‘I Love Muhammad’ following complaints from Bajrang Dal activists, sparking accusations of discrimination and selective enforcement. The posters, displayed across Kidwai Nagar, Adarsh Colony, and Maliknagar, prompted outrage from Hindu groups, who labelled them a “conspiracy” to disturb communal harmony.
Bajrang Dal leader Madhur Nehra led activists to meet ACP Amit Saxena, warning that they would remove the posters themselves if authorities did not act. Under this pressure, police teams tore down the banners, watched silently by local residents.
“We had only expressed our love for Prophet Muhammad. What crime is that?” questioned Irfan Malik, a resident of Modinagar. “Posters for Hindu gods and political leaders go up everywhere without permission. Why are Muslims targeted alone?”
While Muslim posters were removed, Hindu groups quickly put up their own banners with slogans like ‘I Love Yogi,’ ‘I Love Shri Ram,’ ‘I Love Mahadev,’ and even ‘I Love Bulldozers,’ which circulated widely on social media. Many locals criticized the authorities for allowing these to remain.
“This is clear discrimination,” said social worker Mohammad Rizwan. “When Hindu groups plaster their slogans, no one intervenes. But Muslims peacefully expressing devotion to Prophet Muhammad face immediate action.”
Rights activists and lawyers also pointed to widespread unregulated display of Hindu religious and political posters across Uttar Pradesh, questioning the selective enforcement. Advocate Faheem Ansari noted, “The law must be equal for all. If permission is required, it should be applied uniformly.”
Police confirmed the removal of the ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters but did not clarify why the subsequent Hindu banners were allowed. The silence has reinforced perceptions of bias in the community.
Despite the crackdown, Ghaziabad’s Muslims say they will continue to express their devotion. “No power can stop us from loving our Prophet,” said a youth in Maliknagar. “We only ask: is love for Muhammad a crime in India?”
