Muslims in India are being arrested for saying “I Love Muhammad”

Muslims across India are facing arrests and intimidation for expressing their love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and practicing their basic religious rights. According to the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), over 1,000 Muslims are facing police cases over public expressions of love for the Prophet (PBUH).

The latest wave of outrage began in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, when members of Hindutva groups vandalised a signboard reading “I Love Muhammad” during an Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession. The extremists reportedly tore the board apart while chanting derogatory slogans against Muslims.

Instead of taking action against the attackers, police filed an FIR against 25 Muslims and 15 unidentified individuals, accusing them of disturbing communal harmony. This decision fueled anger within the community, leading to widespread protests and rallies under the banner “I Love Muhammad.”

The Imam of Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh, Mufti Khurshid Alam, urged Muslims to openly display their devotion by putting up posters outside their homes. He described the move as a response to the growing hostility and unfair treatment meted out by authorities.

In Gujarat’s Godhra, a Muslim boy was paraded and beaten by police for posting a video with the message “I Love Muhammad” on social media. At least 17 others were arrested in connection with the same case, while 88 protesters were detained outside the local police station.

In Bahiyal village of Gujarat, violence escalated as Hindutva mobs attacked Muslim homes, vandalised property, and launched a counter-campaign under the slogan “I Love Mahadev.” As per local reports, Muslims were assaulted for simply walking through areas where Hindu festivals were taking place.

The unrest has since spread to other states. In Uttarakhand, protests in support of those arrested turned violent, prompting police crackdowns and mass arrests. FIRs were reportedly filed against nearly 400 individuals, with authorities even using facial recognition software to trace protesters.

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Meanwhile, no action was taken against the extremist groups responsible for the provocations.

Muslim leaders, clerics, and community representatives across India have vowed to continue expressing their devotion to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) openly, stressing that their faith cannot be silenced or shaken by intimidation.