New Delhi: The Muslim Students Organisation of India (MSO) has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court demanding the withdrawal of cases registered against those linked to the ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign. The group argued that expressing devotion to Prophet Muhammad is spiritual in nature and must not be criminalised. They alleged that several innocent people were targeted because of their religious identity, leaving many families in fear and distress.
The plea comes after police in Bareilly arrested over two dozen people following violent clashes that erupted last week. Protesters carrying ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters gathered outside cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan’s residence and near a mosque, angered by the suspension of a planned demonstration. Tensions escalated when the crowd tried to march towards Islamia Inter College ground. Stones were thrown at police, who responded with baton charges to disperse the crowd. Vehicles were vandalised during the incident, according to DIG Ajay Kumar Sahni.
Fresh unrest was later reported in Mau, where large groups carrying the same posters marched through Mohamadabad Gohana market. Police resorted to lathi charges to control the situation.
The controversy first began on September 4 in Kanpur, when a banner reading ‘I Love Muhammad’ appeared during a Barawafat procession. Hindu groups objected, claiming it introduced a new practice in a space reserved for long-standing religious traditions. The dispute has since spread to several states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
