Protests across India demand withdrawal of FIRs over 'I love Muhammad' banners during Eid Milad-un-Nabi in U.P.

September 22, 2025 by News Desk

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Protests erupted in various parts of India seeking the withdrawal of FIRs registered against individuals who displayed “I Love Muhammad” banners during Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi celebrations i Uttar Pradesh.

Cleric Salman Mufti, who was arrested last year in a separate case, joined the protests symbolically by publicly reciting all the revered names of Prophet Muhammad, prefacing each with “I Love.” Mufti stated that 99 FIRs should be registered against him if authorities wished, highlighting his stand against the FIRs filed in Kanpur and other cities. (Note: In Islamic tradition, the Prophet is associated with many names and attributes, often cited as 99 in devotional texts.)

The FIRs in question, filed in Kanpur on September 9, 2025, targeted 24 individuals (9 named, 15 unnamed) for allegedly disturbing communal harmony by displaying the banners along the Barawafat procession route. Authorities maintained that the FIRs were not against religious devotion itself, but for actions that could potentially inflame communal tensions.

In Mumbai, Marziya Shanu Pathan organized peaceful human chains and sit-ins to protest the FIRs and defend religious expression. Participants carried placards emphasizing the right to publicly express devotion while urging authorities to balance law enforcement with constitutional freedoms.

Protests were also reported in other cities across India, including Unnao, Bareilly, Kaushambi, Lucknow, Maharajganj, Kashipur, and Hyderabad.

In Lucknow, Muslim women staged demonstrations outside the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Bhavan, carrying “I Love Muhammad” placards. In Sharda Nagar, large numbers of Muslims took out a procession demanding the withdrawal of FIRs filed in Kanpur. While most demonstrations remained peaceful, some areas witnessed minor clashes with police, reflecting tensions surrounding the issue.

These protests highlight broader concerns over freedom of religious expression, public sentiment, and the legal implications of FIRs related to faith-based displays. Authorities have stated that the situation is under close monitoring to maintain public order while respecting citizens’ constitutional rights. Activists continue to press for the FIRs to be reviewed or withdrawn, emphasizing that genuine religious expression should not be criminalized.