‘I Love Muhammad’ poster row reaches Ujjain:Police with Municipal Team remove banner; Hindu activists claim conspiracy to disrupt festive atmosphere

Tension briefly gripped parts of Ujjain when banners reading “I LOVE MUHAMMAD” were spotted near a mosque and residential areas close to a metal bridge on Saturday morning.
The posters, visible to local residents, triggered unrest in the neighborhood as people gathered to see the unusual sight. The incident prompted swift action from law enforcement and municipal authorities to prevent any escalation. Police and Municipal team take prompt action As soon as the information reached the authorities, local police rushed to the site. Mahakal police station in-charge Gagan Badal immediately deployed his team and coordinated with the Ujjain Municipal Corporation to remove the banners. By afternoon, all the posters were taken down, ensuring that the situation did not escalate further. Badal confirmed that the removal of the posters was carried out as soon as the authorities received the complaint, demonstrating the administration’s proactive approach in handling sensitive situations. Communal sensitivities and reactions The appearance of the banners drew the attention of multiple community groups. Members of the Hindu Jagran Manch expressed strong objections, alleging that the posters were an attempt to disrupt the festive atmosphere. At the same time, a large number of Muslim residents gathered near the area during the removal process. In light of these developments, police increased surveillance and vigilance in the vicinity to prevent any untoward incidents. Investigation launched Authorities have initiated a probe to determine who put up the posters and their motive behind doing so. Law enforcement officials emphasized that any action that disturbs public peace, especially during the festive season, would be dealt with strictly. Ritesh Maheshwari, a spokesperson for the Hindu Jagran Manch, alleged that such acts are deliberate attempts to spoil the environment during festivals and demanded strict punitive action against those responsible. Connection to similar incidents elsewhere This Ujjain incident follows a series of similar events in other parts of the country. In Sayyadnagar, Rawatpura, Kanpur, posters with the same message were put up during Barawafat celebrations, which had triggered debates and communal sensitivity in those regions. Learning from these incidents, Ujjain police decided to act immediately to prevent any risk to public order, demonstrating a zero-tolerance approach toward actions that could disturb harmony. Ensuring peace during festivals With Navratri festivities underway, the Ujjain police had already been engaging with representatives of various community groups to maintain peace in the city. Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma had appealed to all communities to avoid any action that could disturb the city’s social atmosphere. Authorities emphasized the importance of keeping the city peaceful during festivals and urged residents to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. Public reaction and precautionary measures While some residents expressed relief at the swift removal of the banners, others called for stronger measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Police officials stated that they are monitoring sensitive areas closely and coordinating with local community leaders to ensure that tensions do not flare up during ongoing and upcoming celebrations.