The Delhi High Court has rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a fair investigation into multiple FIRs lodged against Muslims in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand for displaying “I Love Muhammad” posters during the Milad-un-Nabi celebrations. The petition had alleged that the police in both states acted with communal bias and criminalised peaceful religious expression.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela dismissed the petition filed by Shujaat Ali, stating that the petitioner lacked sufficient public interest to maintain the case. The court also clarified that it could not issue directions in matters on FIRs registered in other states.
The petitioner had contended that the accused individuals were only expressing their devotion to Prophet Muhammad during a religious procession and had not committed any offence. However, the bench held that the concerned individuals could pursue remedies through the proper legal channels.
According to a report by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), at least 21 FIRs were filed initially, implicating over 1,300 Muslims. By early October, the number had reportedly risen to more than 4,500 individuals booked and 265 arrested, with allegations of night raids, arbitrary detentions, and even demolitions of houses displaying the posters.
Lawyers and activists have criticised the handling of the cases as an example of selective policing and shrinking space for Muslim religious expression, arguing that displaying messages of love for the Prophet is an act of faith, not provocation.
The controversy dates back to September 4, 2025, in Kanpur, where participants of a Barawafat procession displayed a banner reading “I Love Muhammad” in Syed Nagar’s Zafar Wali Gali as a mark of reverence.
The situation escalated when members of Hindutva groups allegedly tore down the banner while chanting anti-Muslim slogans. Despite this, police registered cases against 25 Muslims under charges of promoting enmity and disturbing public peace, while no immediate action was taken against the vandals.
