Plea Filed in Delhi High Court Over FIRs Linked to ‘I Love Muhammad’ Posters

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been moved before the Delhi High Court challenging a series of First Information Reports (FIRs) and arrests connected to the recent “I Love Muhammad” poster controversy that spread across several cities.

The petition, filed by the Muslim Students Organisation of India (MSO) along with Raza Academy, a Sunni body, argues that police action unfairly targeted peaceful religious expression.

According to the plea, multiple FIRs were registered in districts such as Kaiserganj and Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh against individuals from the Muslim community whose only act, it claims, was to mark their religious festival and express their devotion through posters, banners, and peaceful assemblies.

The plea contends that the FIRs are communal in nature and designed to target a specific group. It further asserts that such acts infringe fundamental rights, including the right to equality under Article 14, freedom of speech and expression under Article 19, the right to personal liberty under Article 21, and freedom of religion under Article 25 of the Constitution.

The controversy dates back to September 9, 2025, during the Barawafat (Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi) processions in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. On that occasion, local Muslim groups displayed posters and boards bearing the words “I Love Muhammad” along the procession route and at public places.

Hearing: Expected

Date: 26 September 2025

Inputs: PTI