‘I love Mohammad’ protests ignite violence across UP and Uttarakhand

The controversy over ‘I Love Mohammad’ posters, which ignited in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, last week, has now spread to Uttarakhand, prompting police crackdowns, arrests, and the use of facial recognition technology to track protesters.

The row began when Kanpur police registered an FIR over posters displayed during the annual Barawafat procession, commemorating the birth of Prophet Mohammad. Weekend protests against the FIR erupted across several UP districts, including Kaushambi, Pilibhit, Bareilly, Bhadohi, Lucknow, Unnao, and Kanpur.

The unrest reached Uttarakhand on September 21 night in Udham Singh Nagar’s Kashipur, where a demonstration turned violent. Senior Superintendent of Police Manikant Mishra said protesters attacked police officers attempting to control the crowd, vandalised vehicles, and created widespread fear. “Seven people have been arrested, and ten detained. The mastermind, Nadeem Akhtar, is under questioning to determine the source of these violent activities,” Mishra stated.

Authorities are using facial recognition software and home visits to trace around 500 participants of the Kashipur rally. The FIR cited rioting, assault on police, obstruction of government work, and property damage, with one officer reporting that protesters tore off his uniform’s star flaps and vandalised emergency vehicles.

In response, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS to prevent gatherings. A joint operation involving the Revenue Department, Municipal Corporation, Electricity, and Pollution departments targeted encroachments and illegal activity in Mohalla Alli Kha. Officials disconnected 17 unauthorised electricity connections, registered 11 FIRs, recommended cancellation of a Jan Aadhaar centre, removed over 200 encroachments, and fined vendors ₹16,000 for operating without licences.

Prohibitory orders are set to remain in effect for seven days, and authorities will also verify ration cards, cancelling those found invalid. The crackdown underscores the administration’s firm stance on controlling protests and curbing unrest in the region.