Rising Communal Tensions in Uttar Pradesh Amid “I Love Muhammad” Campaign
Recent events in Uttar Pradesh have sparked heightened communal tensions, centered on the circulation of religious posters and the authorities’ responses.
According to Muslim Mirror, the controversy began in Ghaziabad, where posters celebrating the Prophet Muhammad were removed by authorities. The removal followed a counter-campaign by Hindu groups, and officials cited concerns over potential law and order issues. Local Muslim residents protested the removal, expressing concerns over perceived targeting and communal bias.
In Varanasi, Maktoob Media reported that counter-posters appeared shortly thereafter, carrying slogans such as “I Love Mahadev,” “I Love Yogi,” and “I Love Bulldozer.” These posters referenced local political narratives and the controversial use of bulldozers by state authorities to demolish properties linked to minority communities. The counter-posters emerged amid the arrest of several Muslims linked to the “I Love Muhammad” campaign, signaling the polarized atmosphere across multiple cities.
Further reports from Clarion India indicated that in Bareilly, the authorities intensified actions against local Muslim youth. Numerous individuals were detained, and there were allegations of arbitrary arrests, prompting criticism from community members who described the measures as disproportionate and selectively enforced. The continued targeting of Muslim residents in protests and campaigns has raised concerns about fairness and communal bias in law enforcement.
In the political arena, as reported by Clarion India, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the BJP of deliberately stoking communal tensions in Uttar Pradesh to divert attention from critical issues like unemployment, farmers’ distress, education, and healthcare.
Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh called the recent “I Love Muhammad” vs. “I Love Mahadev” slogan controversy a planned conspiracy to inflame religious passions and distract from governance failures. He highlighted BJP’s pattern of provoking clashes around religious festivals and criticized repeated paper leak scandals affecting youth’s future. Singh also condemned the government’s intolerance of democratic demands, citing the arrest of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk. He accused the BJP of ignoring real issues, promoting hate politics, and urged citizens to reject divisive tactics and demand accountability for genuine problems.
