Kanpur 'I Love Muhammad' row: Samajwadi Party member arrested
What's the story
A former police constable Zubair Ahmed Khan, also known as Zubair Gazi, has been arrested by the police for allegedly inciting violence in Kanpur's Railbazar area. The former constable was dismissed from Unnao Police and had recently joined the Samajwadi Party (SP), per India Today. His association with SP's Kanpur district president Fazal Mehmood has sparked political controversy after their photos went viral on social media.
Controversy expansion
What is the Kanpur communal violence case?
The controversy started on September 4 during the Barawafat procession in Rawatpur, where a banner with "I Love Muhammad" was displayed. Hindu groups opposed the slogan, alleging it introduced a new tradition to religious processions. Although no FIR was filed against the slogan itself, 24 people were charged for disturbing communal harmony by relocating a traditional tent and installing the banner elsewhere.
Political escalation
Controversy spreads to several districts, states
The issue intensified after All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi insisted on September 15 that loving the Prophet isn't a crime. "If it is, then I accept any punishment. But Muslims should not be penalized for expressing love and respect for the Prophet," he wrote on X. The controversy has since spread to several districts and states, including Unnao, Kaushambi, Lucknow, Maharajganj (Uttar Pradesh), Kashipur (Uttarakhand), and Nagpur (Maharashtra).
Protests and reactions
Situation in neighboring districts and states
In Unnao, processions with "I Love Muhammad" banners clashed with police. In Kaushambi, a viral video of youths raising objectionable slogans led to detentions. Lucknow saw peaceful demonstrations by Muslim women outside Vidhan Bhavan. Police intervened in Maharajganj and Kashipur (Uttarakhand) to stop unauthorized processions, registering cases against dozens. Political and social groups protested in Nagpur (Maharashtra), demanding respect for religious freedom.
Responses
Political reactions to the controversy
The Samajwadi Party has accused the police of mishandling the situation while defending free expression rights. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party spokespersons have said lawbreakers will face strict action. Prominent clerics, including Maulana Sufiyan Nizami, Jamat Raza-e-Mustafa, and World Sufi Forum officials, have condemned the violence and called for calm and respect for constitutional freedoms.