A seemingly simple slogan — “I Love Muhammad” — has sparked a major controversy across India, igniting protests, political reactions, and questions about religious expression, communal harmony, and freedom of belief.
The Spark: A Banner in Kanpur
The controversy began on September 4 during a Barawafat (Eid Milad-un-Nabi) procession in Rawatpur, Kanpur, when a banner reading “I Love Muhammad” was installed along the procession route. This move drew objections from local Hindu groups, who alleged that the banner introduced a “new custom” in a space traditionally reserved for established practices. Police responded, asserting that government guidelines prohibit introducing new elements in religious processions. While the police say no FIR was specifically filed for the banner itself, they lodged cases against those accused of removing traditional tents and re-placing them along with the banner.
Spread and Escalation
What started in Kanpur quickly spread to other parts of Uttar Pradesh and beyond. Protest processions with “I Love Muhammad” banners were held in Unnao, Bareilly, Lucknow, and other cities. In some places, clashes with police occurred, leading to FIRs and arrests.
In Kaushambi district, a video circulated showing youths chanting slogans such as “Sar tan se juda” (“may your head be separated”), which inflamed Hindu groups and led to detentions. Meanwhile, in Varanasi, Hindu groups organized a counter campaign with posters bearing “I Love Mahadev” in response.
Political and Religious Responses
Asaduddin Owaisi, president of AIMIM, defended the slogan, saying “saying ‘I Love Muhammad’ is not a crime” and invoking Article 25 (freedom of religion). He challenged critics with the question: “If there is an ‘I Love Mahadev’ group, then why is there an objection?”
Omar Abdullah, former J&K Chief Minister, called the FIR registration over the slogan “mentally unwell,” and urged swift judicial intervention to protect freedom of religious expression.
Hindu religious leaders in Varanasi described the campaign as destabilising under the guise of devotion and called for action to preserve social harmony.
Authorities have also filed a case against an IMC leader who reportedly threatened a police officer, saying he would “cut off his hand” if the slogans were suppressed.
Key Issues at Stake
1. Freedom of Religious Expression vs Public Order
Supporters argue that loving or praising the Prophet Muhammad is a legitimate religious sentiment and should not be criminalised. Critics and authorities, however, claim that the introduction of “new customs” might provoke unrest in sensitive communal settings.
2. Selective Enforcement and Communal Balance
Questions have surfaced about whether similar slogans or gestures from other religious communities would stir the same reaction, raising concerns of perceived bias in enforcement. Owaisi himself questioned why “Happy Birthday” posters for political leaders are permitted while religious slogans are challenged.
3. Role of Political Mobilization
The controversy, while sparked locally, has assumed national significance. It has been used by some political actors to highlight religious identities, freedom, or perceived victimization.
4. Risk of Communal Polarization
In a time of delicate social balance, such disputes carry the risk of transforming a verbal disagreement into physical confrontation if not managed carefully.
Outlook
As of now, the police are investigating the multiple FIRs, and community leaders have appealed for calm. Whether courts will intervene to settle whether the slogan itself is lawful remains to be seen.
The “I Love Muhammad” controversy is more than a slogan dispute: it has become a flashpoint in India’s ongoing balancing act between secular democracy, religious sentiment, and shared public space.