Aligarh: Four Hindus arrested for writing ‘I love Mohammad’ on temples to falsely blame Muslims

November 1, 2025 by News Desk

Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested four Hindu men accused of painting ‘I Love Mohammad’ on temple walls in Aligarh’s Lodha area, allegedly to spark communal unrest and frame members of the Muslim community with whom they had ongoing property disputes.

According to Aligarh SSP Neeraj Kumar Jadaun, the investigation — based on CCTV footage, call records, villagers’ inputs, and court documents — revealed that the accused intended to provoke communal sentiments for personal gain. “A spelling mistake in the graffiti and other technical evidence helped identify those behind the act,” the officer said.

Police said the slogans, written in English, contained errors such as “Mamud” instead of “Mohammad,” and were found on four temples in Bhagwanpur and Bulakgarhi villages last Saturday. The discovery had initially triggered tension in the area, prompting heavy police deployment.

The accused, identified as Jeeshant Kumar of Bulakgarhi, and Aakash, Dilip Kumar, and Abhishek Saraswat of Bhagwanpur, were booked under sections 192 (provocation to cause riots), 197 (offence at religious place), 229 (false evidence), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Section 7 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act. A fifth accused, Rahul, is absconding.

The case was originally filed on a complaint by members of the Karni Sena against unidentified persons under sections related to outraging religious feelings and criminal intimidation.

Further probe linked the act to two local property disputes, one involving Rahul’s family and another between Jeeshant and a man named Mustakeem.

Police also recovered the spray can used in the incident. SSP Jadaun thanked local residents for maintaining peace and cooperating during the investigation.