I Love Muhammad” Banner Sparks FIR, Protests and Arrests in Kanpur in India
From Kanpur to Kashipur and Lucknow, the Eid Milad-un-Nabi banner dispute has triggered nationwide protests, police clashes, and allegations of Muslim discrimination.
By Real contentPublished 4 months ago • 6 min read
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In India’s largest state, Uttar Pradesh, a dispute that began in Kanpur over putting up a banner during Eid Milad-un-Nabi (the birthday of Prophet Muhammad) is escalating. The banner carried the words “I Love Muhammad.”
The filing of an FIR (First Information Report) over the incident has led to protests by Muslims not only in Uttar Pradesh but also in several other Indian cities.
During protests in multiple cities, several demonstrators were accused of clashing with police and creating disturbances. Cases have been filed against many of them, and several arrests have been made.
In Uttarakhand’s Kashipur, protests against the initial FIR turned into clashes with police, leading to the arrest of eight people. In Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district, five people were arrested after protesting against the same issue.
Some Muslim organizations have alleged that the police are targeting Muslims for expressing their religious freedom.
However, Kanpur police now claim that the initial FIR was not lodged for putting up the “I Love Muhammad” banner but rather for setting up a tent for the Eid procession outside the designated spot allocated by the administration.
Similarly, Uttar Pradesh government spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi rejected the accusations from Muslim groups, saying, “No one is being targeted on the basis of faith.”
What Happened in Kanpur?
Kanpur police officer Dinesh Tripathi said in a statement:
“The Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession was supposed to begin from its traditional spot in Rawatpur police station limits. But local Muslims erected a tent and displayed an ‘I Love Muhammad’ banner outside the designated spot. This sparked objections from another community (non-Muslims). Eventually, by mutual agreement, the banner was removed and placed at the official location.
He claimed the FIR was not about writing “I Love Muhammad” but about erecting a tent outside the permitted area and tearing each other’s posters during the procession.
The FIR alleges that the Muslim community attempted to “start a new tradition” by putting up the banner, which read “I Love Muhammad,” and that another community opposed it. The FIR, filed on behalf of police officers present during the procession, also alleged that posters belonging to the non-Muslim community were torn down.
The case was filed under sections 196 and 299 of the Indian Penal Code, relating to promoting enmity and spreading hatred between communities. The organizers of the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession were among those named in the FIR.
Kanpur police said that no arrests were made immediately after this initial FIR.
According to local journalist Abhishek Sharma, the banner dispute occurred on September 4, the procession was held peacefully the next day, but the FIR was filed six days later, on September 10.
Following this, AIMIM president and MP Asaduddin Owaisi tagged Kanpur Police on September 15, writing:
“‘I Love Muhammad’ — Kanpur Police, this is not a crime. If it is, then I accept any punishment for it.”
He added, “I would sacrifice a million lives for Prophet Muhammad.”
Protests and Arrests in Other Cities
After the Kanpur FIR, several women staged a protest in Lucknow outside the state assembly carrying “I Love Muhammad” banners.
The protest was led by Samajwadi Party leader and poet Munawwar Rana’s daughter, Samia Rana.
Samia said that many young people who wanted to join were stopped by police on the way. “We women reached the assembly in one vehicle and registered our protest. Police then removed us from there too.”
She alleged that many young people who joined the protest were kept in illegal detention for hours. Lucknow police have not yet responded to this claim.
Samia said:
“When inflammatory speeches are made against Muslims, no FIR is filed. But when Muslims express their constitutional right to show their religious beliefs, FIRs are registered. These are attempts to suppress Muslim religious expression and emotions, which will not be tolerated.”
In Unnao, a protest march against the FIR was taken out, after which police filed a case and arrested five people.
During this, clashes also broke out between protesters and police.
Videos circulating on social media showed women and children carrying banners and chanting slogans in Unnao’s Ganga Ghat area.
Unnao Additional SP (North) Akhilesh Singh said:
“Section 163 has been imposed in Unnao; no procession or protest can be held without permission. An unauthorized procession was taken out in Ganga Ghat. When police intervened, some women and children obstructed official work. Five people were detained and arrested after a case was registered. Further investigation is ongoing.”
He added that the situation is now under control and police patrols are in place.
Meanwhile, UP minister Dharm Pal Singh stated:
“No one will be allowed to break the law. Action has been taken swiftly. Several people have been arrested, and further investigations will lead to more action.”
Violence and FIR in Kashipur
In Kashipur, Uttarakhand, Muslims held a procession last Sunday evening carrying “I Love Muhammad” banners. Clashes broke out with police during the protest.
Local journalist Abu Bakar reported that police registered cases afterward and arrested several people. He said one police officer was injured in the clashes.
Police used baton charges to disperse the protesters.
According to SSP Manikant Mishra:
“Nearly 400 people held an unauthorized protest in Kashipur, even attacking a police vehicle. Seven people were arrested and 10 detained.
Similarly, a case was registered in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaisarganj area as well.
At Aligarh Muslim University, former student union president Faizul Hasan said:
“We organized a peaceful march against the initial FIR. No slogans were raised, no laws were broken. Later, we learned that cases were filed against us.
He has now petitioned the Allahabad High Court to quash the FIR.
Faizul Hasan said:
“Muslims love Prophet Muhammad. We are being targeted for expressing our love for the Messenger.”
Allegations of Discrimination Against Muslims
Human rights activists argue that Muslims are being deliberately targeted by inflating minor incidents and provoking religious sentiments.
Nadeem Khan of United Against Hate said:
“We’ve received reports of police action against Muslims in several places. We don’t yet have confirmed numbers of FIRs and arrests.”
He added:
“Muslims are angry and upset over what happened in Kanpur. But this is not the first such incident. During Ramadan, cases were filed in Moradabad for offering prayers at home, and some were stopped from praying on rooftops. Now an FIR has been filed over a Prophet’s poster. It seems Muslims are being singled out, and their emotions deliberately provoked.”
On the Kanpur incident, Nadeem Khan said:
The ‘I Love Muhammad’ banners were torn down. Muslims filed complaints, but no action was taken against the culprits. Instead, cases were filed against the Muslims themselves.
He said they would challenge this in court as part of their constitutional rights.
Kanpur police have not responded to his allegations.
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi asked:
“If expressing love for Prophet Muhammad is grounds for FIRs, then will cases be filed against India’s 300 million Muslims? Every Muslim loves the Prophet more than their own life.”
He advised Muslim youth not to hold rallies or processions without permission, as this could put them in legal trouble.
On multiple FIRs, he said it appeared the administration intends to target Muslims, so people should express their feelings carefully.
“We Won’t Allow the Atmosphere to Be Disturbed”
Rejecting allegations of discrimination, UP BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said:
“The government does not act on the basis of religion. Whoever breaks the law will face action.”
He added that some groups were trying to politicize the issue and disturb peace.
Tripathi said:
“No one should be targeted for their faith. No one has any objection to religious slogans. But if a slogan crosses legal boundaries, action will be taken. Posters, banners, or slogans must be placed only in designated spots. Violations will face legal action. This is being turned into an issue to provoke public emotions, which is not right.”
Wider Protests
The Kanpur incident on Eid Milad-un-Nabi has triggered protests not only in Uttar Pradesh but also in other states like Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
On social media, Muslims are posting pictures under the hashtag #ILoveMuhammad, with many changing their profile pictures to the banner image.
Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Vivek Kumar said:
While it cannot be said that Muslims are being targeted as part of any central policy or campaign, small incidents and their responses do indicate that minorities are feeling a sense of marginalization.
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