Police on Sunday arrested Zubair Ahmed Khan alias Zubair Gazi, the prime accused in circulating an inflammatory audio clip that allegedly sought to incite violence in the Railbazar area inj Kanpur.
Zubair, a dismissed constable from Unnao Police in 2021, had recently joined the Samajwadi Party (SP). His photographs with SP’s Kanpur district president Fazal Mehmood have now gone viral on social media, sparking political debate over his affiliations.
According to police, Zubair allegedly played a provocative audio message to worshippers shortly after Friday prayers, in an attempt to disturb communal harmony. He was tracked down and taken into custody following a swift operation.
THE CONTROVERSY: FROM BANNER TO NATIONWIDE PROTESTS
The arrest comes against the backdrop of the ongoing “I Love Muhammad” controversy, which first erupted in Kanpur on September 4 during the Barawafat (Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi) procession in Rawatpur.
A banner with the slogan “I Love Muhammad” was displayed along the route, sparking objections from Hindu groups who alleged that a “new tradition” was being introduced. Police intervened, citing government rules that forbid adding new customs to religious processions.
While officials clarified that no FIR was filed against the slogan itself, cases were later registered against 24 people for allegedly removing a traditional tent and installing the banner at a different location, leading to charges of disturbing communal harmony.
The matter snowballed after AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi posted on September 15, insisting that expressing love for the Prophet was not a crime and tagging Kanpur Police on X.
ESCALATION BEYOND KANPUR
The issue has since spread across multiple districts and states:
- Unnao: Processions with “I Love Muhammad” banners led to clashes with police and multiple arrests.
- Kaushambi: A viral video showing youths raising objectionable slogans sparked outrage and police detentions.
- Lucknow: Muslim women held peaceful demonstrations outside Vidhan Bhavan.
- Maharajganj & Kashipur (Uttarakhand): Police intervened to stop unauthorised processions, with cases registered against dozens.
- Nagpur (Maharashtra): Political and social groups held protests, demanding respect for religious freedom.
POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS REACTIONS
Samajwadi Party: Leaders have accused the police of mishandling the situation and defended the right to free expression—be it “I Love Ram” or “I Love Muhammad.”
BJP: Party spokespersons maintain that lawbreakers will face strict action.
Religious leaders: Prominent clerics have urged calm, condemning violence but insisting that constitutional freedoms must be safeguarded.
Owaisi (AIMIM): Reiterated that love for the Prophet cannot be criminalised, framing the dispute as one of religious freedom.
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