Hyderabad: AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly criticised the Uttar Pradesh police for registering an FIR against 25 Muslim men in Kanpur after a Milad-un-Nabi procession featured a banner reading “I Love Muhammad.”
The incident took place on September 4 in Syed Nagar, under the Rawatpur police station area. The banner was erected on a road also used for Ram Navami processions. Members of Hindutva groups objected, calling it a “new tradition.” Advocate Mohammad Imran Khan stated that one of the agitators, Mohit Bajpayee, has a record of similar actions. Following protests, the banner was vandalised by right-wing activists before being removed by police.
Despite the vandalism, police registered an FIR against Muslims participating in the procession. Advocate Khan alleged that authorities refused to file complaints against the Hindutva activists responsible for the unrest, leaving those targeted to face legal action.
Milad-un-Nabi is a significant occasion for Muslims, commemorating the birth of Prophet Muhammad. Many banners with expressions of love and reverence are traditionally displayed during processions.
Reacting to the FIR, Owaisi posted on social media, quoting verses of Urdu poetry by Allama Iqbal to express devotion to the Prophet Muhammad. He accused the police of bias and questioned why those who vandalised the banners were not held accountable.
The case has once again raised concerns about selective law enforcement and growing communal tensions in Uttar Pradesh.
