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The plea argued that love towards Prophet Muhammad is deeply spiritual and should not be criminalised after several people were arrested following violent clashes.
Security personnel lathi-charge protesters during a demonstration over the issue of ‘I Love Mohammad’ posters, in Bareilly. (PTI Image)
The Muslim Students Organisation of India (MSO) on Friday filed a plea in the Delhi High Court, seeking the withdrawal of cases registered over the ‘I Love Muhammad’ row that erupted in several cities.
The plea argued that love towards Prophet Muhammad is deeply spiritual and should not be criminalised. The organisation also alleged that innocent people were implicated in the controversy because of their religious identities.
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The plea also claimed that communal targeting had left the petitioners and their families in deep fear and distress. This came after more than two dozen people were taken into custody in Bareilly after police clashed with a large crowd carrying ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters after Friday prayers.
Violent Clashes In Uttar Pradesh
Violent clashes broke out in Bareilly after large crowds holding “I Love Muhammad” posters gathered outside the cleric’s residence and near a mosque, protesting over the suspension of the demonstration called by Islamic cleric and Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Tauqeer Raza Khan in support of the campaign.
The protesters clashed with the police while attempting to march towards the Islamia Inter College ground, pelting stones at the cops and vandalising vehicles. The police resorted to baton charging to restore calm.
“Some mischievous elements were found raising slogans and pelting stones at the police. In retaliation, mild force was used, and the miscreants were arrested. FIRs are being lodged,” DIG Ajay Kumar Sahni told reporters.
After the Bareilly incident, more violence was reported in the town of Mau, where a big crowd carried out a march, carrying ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters. The incident occurred in the market area of Mohamadabad Gohana police circle, where cops had to lathi-charge protesters to restore order.
What Is The Row About?
The slogan ‘I Love Muhammad’, which first appeared during a Barawafat (Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi) procession in Kanpur’s Rawatpur on September 4, has since sparked protests and street processions by Muslim groups across multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
The controversy began when a group displayed an ‘I Love Muhammad’ banner along the Barawafat route, which drew objections from local Hindu groups. They alleged that a “new tradition” was being introduced in a space historically used for religious celebrations. Police intervened promptly to defuse tensions.
About the Author
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
September 26, 2025, 22:11 IST
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