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The I Love Muhammad poster row from Kanpur spread to Uttarakhand, Telangana, and Maharashtra, sparking counter I Love Mahadev campaigns.
Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane. (ANI)
I Love Muhammad Poster Row: With the row over ‘I Love Mohammad’ posters, which began in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur earlier this month, spilled into Uttarakhand, Telangana, and Maharashtra, a counter-response with ‘I Love Mahadev’ is gathering momentum online.
Amid the row, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Thursday shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) with a poster saying “I LOVE MAHADEV” as a response to the ongoing controversy.
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Earlier on Wednesday, Muslim clerics and community leaders in Mumbai stepped in and demanded the withdrawal of cases filed by Kanpur police.
At Malvani police station in Mumbai’s Malad, Maulanas and clerics submitted a memorandum claiming the FIRs were unjustified. They urged the state government to act swiftly and ensure that the religious sentiments of the community were respected.
What’s The Row?
The controversy began on September 4 during the Barawafat (Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi) procession in Kanpur. On the day of the festival, a group of local youths marched with green flags and posters reading “I Love Muhammad”, singing naats and offering sweets to passersby. By evening, several banners with the same message appeared at traffic intersections and on shopfronts across Beconganj and Anwarganj. Locals say the intent was purely devotional.
However, local Hindu groups objected to this, claiming that a “new tradition” was being introduced in a space traditionally used for Barawafat celebrations.
Trouble began when police personnel allegedly removed some of the banners citing lack of prior permission. Video clips shared on social media showed heated arguments between residents and policemen, with a few scuffles reported. By nightfall, crowds gathered, raising slogans and demanding that the banners be restored. Police used mild force to disperse them, and ten people were detained.
Later, reports of similar disputes began emerging from other parts of Uttar Pradesh. In Bareilly, police stopped a group from hoisting a large “I Love Muhammad” hoarding near Dargah Ala Hazrat, fearing congestion during Friday prayers. The intervention led to a brief sit-in that was later called off after talks with district officials.
On September 9, Kanpur police registered cases against 24 people (9 named, 15 unknown) for allegedly introducing a new custom during the Barawafat procession and disturbing communal harmony. The case cited the removal of the traditional tent and placement of the banner at a new site.
The row gained wider attention after AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi in a social media post asserted that saying “I Love Muhammad” was not a crime.
Kanpur Police Commissioner Ramkrishan Yadav defended the action: “The banners were obstructing traffic and had been put up without permission. Our action was aimed at maintaining public order, not hurting sentiments. We appeal to everyone to celebrate peacefully.”
Counter Response
With the growing row, a counter campaign emerged in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi with religious leaders taking to the streets with placards reading “I Love Mahadev”, in what they described as a response to allegedly “provocative” attempts to unsettle communal peace.
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
September 25, 2025, 17:29 IST
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