Man detained in UP for holding ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters during Friday prayers in Saharanpur
Saharanpur: A man was detained by police outside a mosque in Saharanpur on Friday for displaying posters that read "I Love Muhammad", amid a growing crackdown on the campaign across various states.
According to reports citing Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ashish Tiwari, the man was taken into custody immediately after he was seen holding two such posters during Friday prayers. Authorities have also begun scrutinizing his social media activity as part of the investigation.
SSP Tiwari stated that extensive foot patrols were deployed to maintain law and order and to assure the public of their safety. Coordination meetings with religious leaders were also held in anticipation of Friday prayers. Approximately 1,500 police personnel were stationed at sensitive and high-traffic areas across Saharanpur.
The incident comes amid a nationwide crackdown on the “I Love Muhammad” campaign, which began after banners bearing the slogan were displayed during Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi processions. The civil rights collective Association for Protection of Civil Rights reported that at least 1,324 Muslims have been booked in 21 cases, and 38 people arrested across the country in connection with the campaign.
In a related incident in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, police used tear gas and lathi-charge to disperse a protest led by Maulana Tauqeer. Protesters had gathered post-Friday prayers to demand the withdrawal of FIRs filed against those displaying the “I Love Muhammad” banners in Kanpur. The situation escalated when stone-pelting broke out, prompting intervention from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC).
The controversy started on September 4, when a group in Kanpur displayed a “I Love Muhammad” banner during a religious procession. Hindu groups objected to what they described as the introduction of a “new tradition,” leading to tension. On September 9, police registered cases against 24 individuals, identifying 15 of them for allegedly disturbing communal harmony and introducing new customs.
Police claimed the FIRs were not for the posters themselves but for placing them in previously unused locations and allegedly tearing down other groups' posters.
The police action in Uttar Pradesh sparked similar protests and processions in other districts and states. In Uttarakhand’s Kashipur, one FIR named 401 individuals, with seven arrests made.
Protests have also been held in Karnataka, where eight people were arrested in Davanagere, and in Lucknow, where women demonstrated outside the Vidhan Bhavan demanding the withdrawal of related FIRs.
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Man booked for duping 7 persons of Rs 91 lakh on promise of awarding govt works
Mumbai (PTI): The Mumbai police have registered a case against a man for allegedly duping seven persons of Rs 91 lakhs on the promise of awarding them works of different government departments, an official said on Tuesday.
The accused was identified as Satish Kadam, a resident of Nanded in Marathwada region, an official said.
A complaint was filed by Hanumant Vadje, who alleged that the accused cheated him and six others of around Rs 91 lakh by promising to give them various works of Urban Development and Social Justice Department, he said.
The fraud occurred between 2024 and 2026, with Kadam collecting money in cash and into his accounts, police said, adding he had returned some amount to them partially.
Multiple cheques issued by the accused bounced, prompting the victim to lodge a complaint at the Marine Drive police station. Based on the complaint, a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust was registered against him.
The case is under further investigation, the official said.
