Uttar Pradesh police have arrested ten Muslims across the state for allegedly sharing ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters and videos. In Muzaffarnagar, 30-year-old Nadeem, a cloth trader from Mumbai, was taken into custody for reportedly posting an objectionable and controversial video on social media.
“A few days ago, an objectionable and controversial video went viral on social media. There were attempts to instigate people through the video,” said Superintendent of Police (Rural) Aditya Bansal. Nadeem was booked under sections 353 (statements conducing to public mischief), 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot, if rioting be committed; if not committed), and 152 (acts endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
In Meerut, four men were arrested for allegedly conspiring to disturb communal harmony and incite unrest in Khirwa town under the Sarurpur Police Station limits. Senior Superintendent of Police Vipin Tada said the arrests followed a tip-off on October 3 about a group attempting to provoke residents and gather a crowd through an audio message on a local WhatsApp group. Four residents – Faiz alias Ghayyur, 20; Nafees, 23; Abid, 59; and Mohammad Lukman, 35 – were taken into custody during the operation.
Separately, five individuals were arrested on October 4 for allegedly putting up an “I Love Muhammad” poster at the main intersection of Mawana town in Meerut. Locals protested the poster the following morning. Idrish, Tasleem, Rihan, Gulfam, and Haroon were booked under section 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters initially gained attention after Kanpur police arrested dozens of young Muslims for displaying the banners during Milad-un-Nabi processions. The move sparked widespread demonstrations across the country, with many protesters holding banners, changing their social media display pictures to the statement, and putting up stickers near shops and houses.
With PTI inputs