Kanpur Police Arrest Ex-Constable in ‘I Love Muhammad’ Row; Samajwadi Party Links Surface
Kanpur police have arrested Zubair Ahmed Khan, a dismissed constable and the prime accused in the ‘I Love Muhammad’ controversy, which triggered protests across multiple states. Viral photographs showing Zubair with Samajwadi Party (SP) Kanpur district president Fazal Mehmood have fueled political debates over his affiliations.
Arrest Following Provocative Audio Clip
The arrest on Sunday comes nearly a week after the incident first ignited tensions during the Barawafat (Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi) procession in Rawatpur on September 4.
Authorities stated that Zubair allegedly played a provocative audio clip to worshippers after Friday prayers, aiming to disturb communal harmony. He was tracked down in a swift police operation and taken into custody.
How the Controversy Began
The issue originated when a banner reading “I Love Muhammad” was displayed along the procession route. Hindu groups objected, claiming the banner introduced a “new tradition” to the religious event. While no FIR was filed against the slogan itself, 24 individuals were later charged for allegedly removing a traditional tent and installing the banner elsewhere, leading to cases of disturbing public order and communal harmony.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi weighed in on September 15, asserting that expressing love for the Prophet is not a crime and tagging Kanpur Police on social media.
The controversy quickly escalated beyond Kanpur:
Unnao: Youths carrying “I Love Muhammad” banners clashed with police, resulting in stone-pelting, five arrests, and eight FIRs.
Maharajganj: Authorities blocked a procession, registering cases against 64 people and seizing vehicles.
Kaushambi: A viral video showed youths chanting provocative slogans, including “Sar tan se juda”, triggering outrage and detentions.
Lucknow: Muslim women staged a peaceful sit-in at Vidhan Bhavan’s Gate 4, highlighting concerns over freedom of expression.
Nagpur & Kashipur: Protests over religious freedoms led to clashes, property damage, and police intervention.
Political and Religious Reactions
The controversy has polarized political responses:
Samajwadi Party: Accused police of mishandling the case and defended the right to free expression, noting that if citizens can say “I Love Ram,” they should also be able to say “I Love Muhammad.”
BJP: Emphasized that any attempt to disrupt public order would be dealt with firmly.
Religious Leaders: Maulana Sufiyan Nizami, Jamat Raza-e-Mustafa, and World Sufi Forum representatives condemned the violence but urged calm.
Owaisi: Framed the issue as a matter of religious freedom, stating, “Saying ‘I Love Muhammad’ is not a crime. Muslims should not be penalized for expressing love and respect for the Prophet.”
