Crackdown follows protests and arrests linked to religious expressions across several states in India.
Recent developments surrounding the display of banners proclaiming “I Love Muhammad” during religious processions have led to significant legal repercussions for the Muslim community in India. According to the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, a total of 1,324 Muslims have been booked in 21 FIRs following incidents that arose from these banners during Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi celebrations. The crackdown has resulted in the arrest of 38 individuals as of September 23, 2025.
The controversy began on September 4, when a group of Muslims showcased the “I Love Muhammad” banner during a procession in Kanpur. The display was met with objections from local Hindu groups, who claimed it introduced a “new tradition” to the religious event. This led to a response from law enforcement, as Kanpur’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dinesh Tripathi, noted that government regulations prohibit the introduction of new customs into established religious processions.
In the wake of these objections, police filed cases on September 9 against 24 individuals, with 15 of them remaining unidentified. The charges were based on allegations of disturbing communal harmony and introducing new customs into the religious procession. It is important to note that the police clarified that no charges were filed specifically for the act of displaying the banner itself, but rather for its placement in a new location and for the alleged destruction of posters from another group.
The police action has incited protests across various districts, with demonstrators displaying the same banners in solidarity. These protests have, at times, resulted in clashes with law enforcement, prompting further legal actions and additional FIRs. The state of Uttar Pradesh has been particularly affected, recording the highest number of cases related to these protests. Of the 21 FIRs filed, 16 are from Uttar Pradesh, involving over 1,000 individuals.
Among the notable cases in Uttar Pradesh, Unnao has seen eight cases with 85 accused and five arrests. Other districts like Baghpat, Kaiserganj, Shahjahanpur, and Kaushambi have also reported numerous cases. In addition, a significant case was filed in Uttarakhand’s Kashipur, which alone named 401 individuals, resulting in seven arrests. Meanwhile, Gujarat has also witnessed similar actions, with cases filed in Godhra and Baroda, leading to several arrests.
Nadeem Khan, the national secretary of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, condemned the actions taken against individuals expressing their love and respect for the Prophet Muhammad. He described the targeting of these individuals as a “gross violation of fundamental rights” and emphasized that peaceful religious expression should not be criminalized. The situation highlights the tensions surrounding religious expression and the legal frameworks that govern such activities in India.
