Tensions escalated in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh on Saturday when “I love Muhammad” graffiti was discovered on the walls of five temples in Bhagwanpur and Bulaqigarh villages. The incident led to a heavy police presence as authorities began an investigation into the act of vandalism.
Senior police officials, along with forensic teams, were promptly dispatched to the site. CCTV footage from nearby areas was reviewed to identify those responsible. As a result, a case has been filed against eight individuals: Mustaqeem, Gul Mohammad, Sulaiman, Sonu, Allahbaksh, Hameed, and Yousuf.
Neeraj Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), emphasized the seriousness of the incident, stating, “We are investigating all angles thoroughly. No one found guilty will be spared.”
Authorities are also exploring the possibility of a land dispute being linked to the incident, according to Kumar.
Meanwhile, Gyanendra Singh Chauhan, All-India Vice President of the Karni Sena, lodged a police complaint regarding the incident. He criticized the local police for their handling of the situation, accusing them of negligence. Chauhan claimed that instead of taking action against the culprits, the police had initially detained the villager who reported the graffiti. He further alleged that police personnel had attempted to remove the slogans from the temple walls to calm tensions.
The issue of ‘I Love Muhammad’ graffiti first sparked controversy earlier this year, when police in Kanpur filed an FIR against 24 individuals for allegedly placing similar boards during an Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession. This incident ignited protests across Uttar Pradesh and other states, drawing attention to rising religious tensions.
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