PUCL Expresses Concern Over Rising Religious Tensions; Holds UP Police Accountable for Violating Article 25
Nov 01, 2025By PUCL Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh PUCL expresses concern over the rising religious tensions, violence, and arrests in several cities across the state, including Bareilly and Kanpur, and holds the Uttar Pradesh Police responsible for this, which is attacking the constitutional rights of minorities.
On September 26th, tension erupted in the Kotwali and Baradari areas of Bareilly when, after Friday prayers, people took to the streets to protest, carrying placards reading “I Love Mohammad.” According to reports, the police stopped them, leading to violent clashes.
The incident stems from an FIR filed against nine people following the Barawafat procession in Kanpur on September 5th. The FIR was filed against them for displaying a poster reading “I Love Mohammad” during the procession. It is noteworthy that the festival of Barawafat, celebrated to mark the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, was the occasion during which the poster was displayed. Subsequently, the police filed an FIR against the organizers of the procession. However, when the police station in question faced criticism and questions were raised about the section under which writing “I Love Mohammad” was considered a crime, the police stated that the FIR was not filed for this reason, but for tearing a religious poster.
After the police’s lies were exposed, members of the Muslim community started protesting in several cities across the state with posters reading “I Love Mohammad.” Their constitutional rights are being violated everywhere, and legal action is being taken against them under the pretext of inciting religious frenzy. However, if the police had not filed an FIR in Kanpur or had later withdrawn the FIR and apologized, these protests would have stopped there. It should be noted that Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to profess faith in any religion, to express and propagate it. In light of this Article, putting up posters and banners expressing love for one’s God is not a crime.
However, numerous incidents over the past several years have revealed that the Uttar Pradesh police system is suppressing the constitutional rights of minorities, and this religious frenzy is leading to arrests and violent actions against minorities. Posters expressing faith, love, and respect for the majority religion’s God are everywhere. This clearly demonstrates the police’s communal mindset.
This incident is the backdrop for the recent violence in Bareilly, where young men took to the streets with placards reading “I Love Mohammad” to express their anger against the FIR filed in Kanpur, only to be stopped by the police citing Navratri.
The Uttar Pradesh PUCL strongly condemns this action by the Uttar Pradesh police and demands that:
1. Amicable efforts should be made to stop the communal frenzy in Bareilly and Kanpur.
2. Measures should be taken to prevent this tension from spreading to other districts.
3. The FIRs registered against nine Muslim youths in Kanpur should be withdrawn, and the police officers concerned should publicly apologize in writing for their lack of sensitivity to the constitutional rights of minorities.
4. The constitutional rights of minority communities should be protected.
5. Constitutional education should be ensured for the police.
TD Bhaskar, President, PUCL Uttar Pradesh
Chittajit Mitra, General Secretary, PUCL Uttar Pradesh