Ten Muslims were arrested across the state of Uttar Pradesh after they showcased “I Love Muhammad” posters and videos. According to the officials, the posters and videos can “disturb the communal harmony in the state.
National attention first turned to the “I Love Muhammad” campaign after Kanpur police arrested several Muslims for displaying them during milad-un-Nabi processions. The arrest sparked widespread protests with demonstrators taking to the streets in large numbers.
Supporters showed solidarity by carrying banners, changing their social media profile pictures to the slogans and putting up similar posters outside their homes, shops and community centres. The movement soon spread beyond Kanpur, fueling nationwide debate on freedom of expression, religious identity and the policy of faith-based displays.
Nadeem, who works as a cloth trader, was arrested for sharing a video on social media. The police called the video “objectionable.” The police have charged him under sections 353 and 192, and 152 that deal with statements that cause public mischief, provoking with intent to cause riot and endangering, unity and integrity of India, respectively.
Superintendent of Police Aditya Bansal stated, “Some days ago, a video was shared in an attempt to incite people. It was an objectionable and controversial video.”
Similar arrests were made in Mawana of Meerut. Four men, Idrees, Tasleem, Gulfam and Rihan were arrested for displaying a poster near a signal.
Police arrested four men in Meerut for “conspiring to incite unrest in Khirwa town.”
Faiz, Nafees, Abid and Mohammad Luqman were arrested by police for sharing an audio message that allegedly can provoke a crowd.
One of the police officials, Vipin Tada, said, “They shared an audio message on a WhatsApp group and tried to provoke locals by gathering them”
