In the wake of heightened tensions surrounding the ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign, a significant organization representing Pasmanda Muslims issued a strong statement on Sunday, September 28, 2025. They unequivocally condemned the recent police action, a lathi-charge, in Bareilly and made an earnest appeal to the community’s youth, urging them to steer clear of any activities that could jeopardize the fragile fabric of peace and harmony.
The All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz clarified its stance on the Kanpur controversy, detailing that local authorities, including the district magistrate, senior superintendent of police, city Qazi, and various community intellectuals, had jointly confirmed a crucial point: the First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged against individuals for defacing religious banners or posters were entirely separate from the act of displaying ‘I Love Muhammad’ messages. This distinction, they emphasized, was a pivotal truth they have been working to disseminate.
The Mahaz’s Kanpur branch further bolstered this narrative with a detailed factual report, demonstrating the organization’s sustained efforts to inform and educate the public about the actual circumstances of the situation since its inception.
However, the All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz (AIPMM) expressed concern that despite these clarifications, certain “Ashraf maulanas,” politicians, and self-proclaimed intellectuals have intentionally inflamed the matter, inciting public unrest. The organization asserted that this persistent controversy appears to be a calculated maneuver designed to advance a specific political agenda.
Regarding the Bareilly incident, the AIPMM stated that following Friday prayers on September 26, 2025, a volatile situation emerged. Inflammatory speeches from certain leaders, coupled with deliberate attempts to provoke violence, escalated tensions significantly, compelling police to use a lathi-charge to control the crowd.
Numerous young individuals sustained injuries during this confrontation. The organization also questioned the government’s apparent inaction in addressing the continuous provocative remarks made by Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, suggesting this oversight warranted serious inquiry.
Through its appeal, the AIPMM stressed that the prevailing environment is highly sensitive and unfavorable for public demonstrations. They specifically urged the Pasmanda Muslim community to abstain from protests and direct confrontations.
The Mahaz implored both the youth and all community members to uphold peace and avoid any actions that might disrupt societal harmony. Additionally, they called upon the administration to ensure a fair and balanced enforcement of law and order, aiming for a swift return to normalcy.
Following the violent protests in Bareilly related to the ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign, tensions rapidly spread across several Uttar Pradesh districts, including Barabanki, Mau, and Muzaffarnagar. Authorities responded with extensive overnight house-to-house raids to apprehend those responsible, which led to the arrest of prominent cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan.
By Saturday, September 27, 2025, officials confirmed a heavy deployment of security forces and intensified monitoring of social media platforms, all part of efforts to contain and control the escalating situation.
The previous night, Friday, September 26, 2025, saw renewed unrest in Faizullaganj village, Barabanki district, near Lucknow. This followed the Bareilly clashes and was triggered by the tearing down of a banner bearing the phrase ‘I Love Muhammad’.
Reports indicated that a local watchman, identified as Dhanni, allegedly used a stick to sever the rope holding the banner, causing it to fall. This act quickly drew a gathering of community members who expressed strong disapproval.
Soon, members of another community also converged, contributing to a rapidly escalating and tense environment in the village.
The full sequence of events was captured by a CCTV camera at a nearby mosque, with footage reportedly showing Dhanni intentionally bringing down the banner. Police have confiscated this video and initiated a thorough investigation.
In retaliation, Dhanni’s residence was reportedly vandalized by a group of youths. Law enforcement responded promptly upon receiving news of the incident.
Dhanni’s wife later reported that individuals had broken into their home, caused damage, and stolen their possessions.
Ajay Singh, the Superintendent of Police’s public relations officer, confirmed that the dispute originated from the removal of the banner, but assured the public that peace had since been successfully restored in the area.
In connection with the unauthorized procession that followed the Faizullaganj incident, police in Barabanki have arrested eight individuals.