The Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR) has strongly criticised the arrest of Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, a prominent cleric and president of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, along with several Muslim youths in connection with the ongoing “I Love Muhammad” controversy.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, IMCR chairman and former Member of Parliament, Mohammad Adeeb, termed the police action “biased” and demanded the “immediate and unconditional release” of all those detained.
Adeeb alleged that the recent police operations in Bareilly and other parts of Uttar Pradesh were part of what he called the “Yogi government’s calculated plan.” He said, “While Muslim youths are being arrested indiscriminately, the same police remain silent when weapons are displayed during Hindu religious processions, DJs are played in front of mosques, or provocative slogans are raised.”
The IMCR statement also referred to incidents in Fatehpur where a mausoleum was allegedly vandalised, accusing the police of inaction. “The silence of the administration in such cases exposes its double standards,” Adeeb said.
He further criticised remarks made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath about “teaching Muslims a lesson,” calling them “inappropriate for an elected representative” and arguing that the judiciary should not remain silent on such statements.
According to Adeeb, the controversy around the “I Love Muhammad” slogan has been unfairly targeted by authorities. He pointed out that while Muslims are being jailed over the campaign, counter-slogans like “I Love Mahadev” are being promoted by some groups without any action being taken. “If the government is honest, it should act against them as well,” he said.
The IMCR chairman warned that failure to release Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan and other detained Muslims could have political consequences. “If they are not released immediately, the Yogi government will face repercussions in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections,” Adeeb said.
He added that love for Prophet Muhammad is a matter of faith for Muslims and should not be criminalised. “Declaring it a crime is nothing but an attempt to play with the sentiments of Muslims,” he stated.
The “I Love Muhammad” campaign began in Kanpur earlier this month and quickly spread to other cities in Uttar Pradesh, including Bareilly. Authorities have since lodged multiple FIRs, arresting dozens of Muslims under charges ranging from unlawful assembly to promoting enmity.
Among those detained is Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, who has been a vocal critic of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. His arrest has triggered widespread condemnation from Muslim organisations and civil rights groups.
Meanwhile, police officials maintain that the arrests were made to prevent communal tensions and to ensure law and order. Authorities argue that the campaign could incite clashes, particularly during the ongoing Navratri festivities, when Hindu religious gatherings and processions are taking place across the state.
