A communal tension flared up in the industrial city of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on September 4, when an illuminated signboard reading “I Love Muhammad (SAW)” was displayed in the Muslim-majority neighborhood of Saeed Nagar. The signboard, adorned with a red heart symbol, was part of the local celebration marking the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), known as Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi.
However, the display soon turned contentious after several Hindu residents objected to the placement of the sign. Police were called to the scene, and after hours of tension, the signboard was removed that very night.
Following the incident, authorities filed a case against nine Muslim men and 15 unidentified persons, accusing them of deliberately disturbing communal harmony and hurting religious sentiments. As of this writing, no arrests have been reported.
Mohit Bajpai, a Saeed Nagar resident and member of the Shri Ramnavami Samiti, told Al Jazeera that while he did not object to the message “I Love Muhammad,” he objected to the location where it was placed.
“That place is traditionally used for our Ram Navami decorations. Everyone has the right to practice their religion, but new traditions shouldn’t start in new places,” he said.
Muslim residents countered that the spot has long been used for their Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi gatherings. A 28-year-old resident, who requested anonymity fearing enforcement action, said:
“We had official permission for our decorations. The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all citizens.”
M.A. Khan, the lawyer representing the accused, called the charges baseless and politically motivated. He said some of those named in the case were not present at a separate procession on September 5 which allegedly involved a torn banner.
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, is home to over 38 million Muslims — roughly 20% of the state's population. Since 2017 it has been governed by Yogi Adityanath, a prominent leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who is widely known for hardline Hindu positions and rhetoric.
Observers say the Kanpur incident reflects continuing communal polarization in the state, where religious and political tensions frequently intersect.