Twenty-five Muslims have been charged by the Kanpur police in Uttar Pradesh following the vandalism of a signboard that read “I Love Mohammed.” This incident occurred on September 4, during the Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations, when members of Hindutva groups allegedly broke the signboard.
Eyewitnesses reported that the vandalism took place openly, with participants shouting slogans against the Muslim community. Instead of addressing the actions of the vandalizing group, law enforcement filed a First Information Report (FIR) against 12 identified Muslim individuals, 14 to 15 unknown persons, and two vehicles.
The FIR, initiated based on a written complaint from Sub-Inspector Pankaj Sharma, cites Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The named individuals include Sharafat Hussain, Sabnoor Alam, Babu Ali, Mohammad Siraj, Rehman, Ikram Ahmad, and Iqbal, among others, all hailing from Syed Nagar.
Advocate Mohammad Imran Khan, a local resident, explained that the signboard was erected by the Muslim community during the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession. He noted that this prompted protests from Hindutva organizations, led by an individual named Mohit Bajpayee, who claimed the signboard represented an unprecedented and unacceptable tradition.
Khan characterized Bajpayee as a habitual offender known for inciting communal tensions and affiliated with Hindu nationalist groups. As tensions escalated, a significant police presence and district administration officials were dispatched to the area. After several hours of unrest, the signboard was removed.
Despite Muslim groups and eyewitnesses filing complaints at the Rawatpur Police Station that day, no action was taken against the protesters, nor was an FIR registered for their grievances. “Our complaint was not recorded, while those who suffered are being charged,” said Khan, expressing concerns about bias in law enforcement.
Local residents have reacted strongly to the charges, perceiving them as evidence of discrimination in policing. They argue that such actions create a precedent that allows Hindutva groups to attack Muslim symbols without facing consequences.
An unnamed eyewitness remarked, “First they destroyed the signboard that simply said ‘I Love Mohammed’, and now they are framing Muslims in false cases.” Another resident highlighted the police’s tendency to overlook provocations from Hindutva groups while swiftly charging Muslims under severe allegations.
A senior officer at the Rawatpur Police Station confirmed the incident’s connection to the Barawafat procession, stating that objections were raised about the signboard as it was a new addition not seen in previous years. He affirmed that based on SI Pankaj Sharma’s complaint, an FIR was filed against eight named individuals and others, with the investigation ongoing.
Tags: Kanpur, I Love Mohammed, Hindutva outfit, Muslims booked, FIR
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