Uttar Pradesh: Man detained for holding ‘I love Muhammad’ posters in Saharanpur

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday detained a man outside a mosque in Saharanpur for holding posters that said “I love Muhammad” during the congregational prayers.

The man was holding two posters, Aaj Tak reported. The police personnel present at the spot immediately apprehended him, showed videos of the incident posted on social media.

Senior Superintendent of Police Ashish Tiwari said that the man was being questioned and that his social media accounts were being screened.

“In view of Friday prayers, foot patrols were conducted starting at night to convey a message of safety to the general public,” Tiwari said. “Coordination was established with all religious leaders and discussions were held.”

About 1,500 police personnel were deployed at sensitive locations and crowded places in Saharanpur, the officer said. He added that the situation in the district was peaceful.

A civil rights collective said on Wednesday that at least 1,324 Muslims had been booked in 21 cases across the country after a controversy erupted about banners saying “I love Muhammad” at Muslim religious processions.

Thirty-eight Muslims have been arrested in these cases, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights had said.

The row began on September 4, when a group of Muslims held an “I love Muhammad” banner during an Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Hindu groups objected to the banner, claiming...

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