At least ten Muslims have been arrested across Uttar Pradesh for allegedly sharing or displaying “I Love Muhammad” posters and videos, in what police claim were attempts to disturb communal harmony.
In Muzaffarnagar, 30-year-old Nadeem, a cloth trader working in Mumbai, was arrested for posting what police described as an “objectionable and controversial” video on social media. Superintendent of Police (Rural) Aditya Bansal said, “A few days ago, an objectionable and controversial video went viral on social media. There were attempts to instigate people through the video.”
Nadeem was charged under sections 353 (statements conducing to public mischief), 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), and 152 (act endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
In Meerut, police arrested four men for allegedly conspiring to incite unrest in Khirwa town under the Sarurpur police station limits. Senior Superintendent of Police Vipin Tada said the arrests were made after an audio message circulating on a WhatsApp group allegedly tried to provoke residents and gather a crowd. The arrested men were identified as Faiz alias Ghayyur (20), Nafees (23), Abid (59), and Mohammad Lukman (35).
Separately, five people were arrested in Meerut’s Mawana town for putting up an “I Love Muhammad” poster at a busy intersection on Friday night. Locals reportedly objected to the poster the next morning and staged a protest. The police registered a case against Idrish, Tasleem, Rihan, Gulfam, and Haroon under Section 353 of the BNS.
The “I Love Muhammad” posters first drew national attention after Kanpur police arrested several Muslims for displaying them during Milad-un-Nabi processions. The arrests triggered widespread demonstrations, with many people holding banners, changing their social media profile pictures to the slogan, and putting up similar posters outside shops and homes in solidarity.
