On Friday night, following clashes in Bareilly, tension escalated further in Faizullaganj village in Barabanki district, according to PTI reports. Faizullaganj is located adjacent to the state capital, Lucknow.

Reports indicate that a banner with the words “I Love Muhammad” was torn down in the same district, intensifying the situation significantly. One side alleged that a local watchman named Dhanni broke the rope holding the banner with a stick and brought it down.

Following this incident, members of one community gathered at the scene to express their displeasure, which led to unrest. Members of the other community also began assembling, creating a tense atmosphere in the village, PTI reported. Additionally, Dhanni’s house was reportedly vandalised by some youths.

Soon after receiving the information, the police acted promptly. The Additional Superintendent of Police and the Circle Officer arrived at the scene, and officers from several police stations were called in to restore order.

Ajay Singh, the Public Relations Officer of the Superintendent of Police (SP), stated that while a dispute had erupted over the removal of the banner, peace had since been restored at the location.

In another incident from Mau district, some people took out a procession chanting “I Love Muhammad” in the Nai Bazaar area after Friday prayers. The police dispersed the group with batons, and a video of the incident circulated widely on social media.

Mau SP Ilamaran said, “The police are closely monitoring social media and are taking action based on information gathered about the entire matter.”

Similarly, police in Varanasi made several arrests for allegedly organizing an unauthorized procession with “I Love Muhammad” posters and banners on Monday. Authorities said this act was intended to disrupt communal harmony and spread anarchy.

With unrest spreading rapidly across various districts, police officers and other agencies remain vigilant. Strict measures are in place to monitor and control antisocial elements attempting to disturb the peace.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/i-love-muhammad-row-sparks-unrest-across-uttar-pradesh-cleric-arrested-23596103