Explained: How ‘I Love Muhammad’ banners triggered India-wide protests and debate

It all began on September 4 in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, when a banner displaying the slogan “I Love Muhammad” was put up during a Barawafat procession. Local Hindu groups objected, saying this was a new tradition that was not part of the usual Barawafat practices.

The police stepped in and said government rules do not allow new customs in religious processions. They removed the new tent and banner. At that time, police clarified that no case was filed only for the banner, but both Hindu and Muslim groups accused each other of tearing posters, which created confusion.

On September 9, the Kanpur police registered an FIR against 24 people, including nine named and 15 unknown, for allegedly disturbing communal harmony. The complaint mentioned the removal of a traditional tent and the placement of a new one with the banner.

Many Muslims felt this FIR was unfair because they saw the slogan as an expression of love and devotion for Prophet Muhammad, not as an attempt to cause trouble.

The issue gained more attention when AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi posted on social media on September 15. He wrote “I Love Mohammad” and said it was not a crime, tagging the Kanpur police directly. His post triggered more debate and drew national focus to the incident.

After this, the slogan spread across other districts and states. In Unnao, young people carried banners and shouted slogans, which at times led to clashes and stone-pelting with the police. In Maharajganj, police stopped a planned procession and filed a case against dozens of people.

In Kaushambi, a viral video showed some youths shouting offensive slogans, which created anger among Hindu groups, and police detained several people. In Lucknow, Muslim women held a peaceful demonstration near the Vidhan Bhavan, criticising the FIR and calling it an attack on constitutional rights.

The movement did not remain limited to Uttar Pradesh. In Nagpur, Maharashtra, people from political and religious groups held protests in Mominpura. In Kashipur, Uttarakhand, an unauthorised procession led to stone-pelting and clashes with police. Despite the violence in some places, many others expressed their devotion peacefully, holding posters, changing their display pictures on social media, and joining digital campaigns with the slogan “I Love Muhammad.”

Religious scholars defended the campaign as a natural expression of faith

On the other side, police and authorities said the FIRs were not against the slogan itself but against introducing new customs or creating disturbance during processions. They warned against spreading misinformation and insisted that action would be taken against anyone who broke the law.

Political reactions were divided. Samajwadi Party spokesperson said freedom of expression must be respected, while BJP leaders emphasised that law and order had to be maintained.

In some states, incidents of police excess were also reported. In Godhra, Gujarat, Muslim youths were paraded, and one was allegedly beaten at a police station for posting a reel with the slogan. This led to protests outside the police station, after which more FIRs and arrests were made.

The campaign has now turned into a larger conversation about religious freedom, the right to expression, and communal harmony.

What started with a single banner in Kanpur has grown into a nationwide protest and digital movement. For Muslims, the slogan “I Love Muhammad” is simply about love and devotion, but the police action in Kanpur turned it into a flashpoint that has since spread across several states, involving protests, arrests, clashes, and political statements.