BJP workers and Muslim demonstrators clash after protest was organised by Muslims who raised slogans carrying 'I love Mohammad' banner.
BJP supporters and Muslim demonstrators clash in Jalandhar over "I love Mohammad" slogans; police register FIR to calm tensions.
Chandigarh: Jalandhar saw unrest on Friday evening after a protest linked to the ongoing "I love Mohammad" poster row turned into a clash between Muslim demonstrators and BJP workers. The incident has now become part of a wider controversy spreading across several states.
The trouble started around 4 pm when members of the Muslim community gathered outside the district administrative complex in Jalandhar. They carried a banner with the words 'I love Mohammad' and raised slogans. This demonstration was connected to similar protests that have been taking place in other parts of the country over the same issue.
As the protest continued, a youth riding a scooter passed the site. The youth, identified as Yogesh Maini, a BJP activist, responded to the slogans by chanting "Jai Shree Ram". This reaction immediately raised tempers. The protesters stopped him, took away his scooter keys, and there were allegations that he was also beaten.
Inside the district complex, BJP leaders led by former MLA K.D. Bhandari were already meeting the Police Commissioner over another issue. When they heard about Maini being stopped outside, they rushed to his aid. Other BJP leaders and Hindu activists, including Amit Taneja, Pardeep Khullar, Ravi Mahendru, and Ashok Sareen Hikky, also gathered at the site.
Soon after, BJP supporters and Hindu activists staged their own protest at BMC Chowk. They raised "Jai Shree Ram" slogans and demanded that an FIR be registered immediately against those who stopped and allegedly assaulted Maini. They pressed the police to take action against the Muslim leaders who led the protest.
The police stepped in to calm the situation. ADCP Naresh Dogra assured the BJP leaders and protesters that a case was being registered. He told them that FIR number 177 would be filed against the accused under different sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS). The charges included voluntary causing hurt (Section 115), wrongful restraint (126), criminal intimidation (351), and act to outrage religious feelings (299).
With this assurance, the BJP leaders called off their protest. They submitted names of the accused to the police and demanded arrests by 11 am the following day. They warned that if arrests were not made, they would resume their protest in Jalandhar.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA and former India hockey captain Pargat Singh appealed for calm. He asked both communities to maintain peace and said Punjab's tradition of brotherhood should not be disturbed over such issues.
The controversy is part of a larger national row. The "I love Mohammad" slogan first came up during a Barawafat procession in Kanpur. Since then, the phrase has sparked strong reactions in different states, including Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. In some places, the protests have turned violent, leading to police action, arrests, and even internet suspensions. Civil society groups have also accused the police of excesses during the crackdown.
In Jalandhar, the situation has so far remained under control after the police assurance. However, both sides are watching closely to see if arrests are made. The case has highlighted how quickly a local demonstration can spiral into a flashpoint when religious slogans clash.
