‘I Love Mohammad’ Row Sparks Clashes In Bareilly, Police Vow Exemplary Punishment

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday promised strict action against those involved in violent clashes in Bareilly, where miscreants allegedly pelted stones at officials following Friday prayers outside a mosque during the ongoing 'I Love Mohammad' row.

Bareilly DIG Ajay Sahni said several videos of the incident have been recorded and assured that the steps taken will "serve as an example" to prevent such disturbances in the future.

"At some places, miscreant elements came forward, raising slogans on the streets and, as you saw, they continuously started pelting stones at police and officials. Many videos of this have also been recorded. Strict action will be taken, which will serve as an example so that such acts are never repeated," Sahni told the media.

The clash broke out after locals gathered outside a mosque in Bareilly to support the "I Love Muhammad" campaign. Similar tensions have also been reported in Gujarat's Gandhinagar, where clashes erupted over a controversial social media post. The campaign has sparked protests across Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and several other states.

What is the 'I Love Mohammad' row?

The controversy began on September 9, when police in Kanpur registered an FIR against nine people and 15 unidentified individuals for allegedly putting up "I Love Mohammad" boards during a Barawafat procession on September 4. Several Hindu groups objected, calling it a "new trend" and a deliberate provocation.

The issue gained wider traction after AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi defended the posters on social media, stating that "saying I Love Muhammad is not a crime."

Speaking to reporters in Purnea, Bihar, on Friday, Owaisi questioned why such expressions of faith were considered problematic:

"If there is an 'I Love Mahadev' group then what is the problem? What is anti-national here? What sort of violence does this promote? If the word is 'love' then why is anyone having a problem? I think we have to play the 'Mohabbat Zindabad' song from Mughal-e-Azam for these people. If there can be a 'Happy Birthday PM Modi' poster then why can't there be an 'I Love Prophet Muhammad' poster?" Owaisi remarked.

The situation remains tense in parts of Uttar Pradesh and other states, with police maintaining heightened vigilance to prevent further escalation.