A local religious slogan in Uttar Pradesh has turned into a major political flashpoint, giving Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath a chance to corner Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav ahead of key elections.
The controversy began in early September in Kanpur, when a banner reading “I Love Muhammad” was displayed during a Barawafat procession. Some Hindu groups objected, calling it an unusual practice. What started as a small dispute quickly spread across Uttar Pradesh and even to states like Uttarakhand, Telangana, and Maharashtra. Clashes were later reported in Bareilly and Nagpur as the slogan appeared at more rallies.
With the Navratri festival underway, Yogi Adityanath has seized the issue to reinforce his Hindutva agenda. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister has framed the row as a fight against “religious extremism,” vowing strong action against anyone disrupting public order. Police have arrested Zubair Ahmed Khan, a former UP Police constable and SP member, as the main accused in the Kanpur unrest. Authorities are also pursuing Maulana Tauqeer Raja, accused of inciting protests in Bareilly.
For the Samajwadi Party, the timing could not be worse. Akhilesh Yadav has been trying to strengthen his PDA coalition of backward castes, Dalits, and minorities. But the controversy forces him into a tough spot: he cannot alienate Muslim supporters, yet taking a strong stand risks angering Hindu voters during a sensitive festive period.
The SP already faced embarrassment when party spokesperson Sumaiya Rana, daughter of poet Munawwar Rana, warned of mass protests in Lucknow. The party quickly distanced itself from her remarks.
Political observers say Yogi Adityanath will likely keep the issue alive to consolidate Hindu votes, while Akhilesh hopes it fades before it further polarises the electorate. With Navratri celebrations continuing, even a small misstep could prove costly for the opposition.
