Tensions flared in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district on Sunday night, September 28, 2025, after graffiti reading “I Love Muhammad” was found on a roadside rangoli in the Miliwada area. The incident sparked violent protests, leading to the detention of 30 individuals and a mild lathicharge by police to control the situation, which has now been brought under control.
Incident Details
The unrest began late Sunday night when a viral video of the graffiti, perceived as offensive by the local Muslim community, circulated widely by Monday morning. Enraged youths blocked the Ahilyanagar–Sambhaji highway in protest, alleging the rangoli hurt religious sentiments. Locals filed a complaint at the Tofkhana police station, resulting in the arrest of one individual responsible for creating the rangoli and the registration of an FIR. Despite this, protests escalated in the Kotla area, with demonstrators refusing to disperse.
By 7 a.m. on Monday, the situation worsened as protesters resorted to stone-pelting when police attempted to intervene. Authorities responded with a mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd. Ahilyanagar police confirmed that 30 people have been detained, and a fresh FIR has been filed regarding the violence. Heavy police deployment across the city has restored calm, with authorities urging residents to avoid spreading rumors.
Political Reactions
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking in Yavatmal on Monday, hinted at a possible conspiracy behind the incident, suggesting it may be an attempt to polarize communities. “We need to investigate if there’s a larger conspiracy. Everyone has the right to practice their religion, but creating social tension is unacceptable,” he said, referencing similar polarizing tactics during the Lok Sabha elections.
The Ahilyanagar clash is part of a broader controversy surrounding the “I Love Muhammad” campaign, which began in Kanpur on September 4, 2025, during a Barawafat (Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi) procession. A banner with the slogan sparked protests from Hindu groups, who deemed it a provocative “new tradition.” This led to clashes in Uttar Pradesh districts like Bareilly, Barabanki, and Unnao, as well as in Gujarat and Karnataka.
National Context
The campaign has fueled a nationwide debate on religious expression. In Uttar Pradesh, cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan was detained after protests in Bareilly turned violent, with over 40 arrests and 1,700 individuals named in FIRs for stone-pelting and vandalism. In Gujarat’s Gandhinagar, 60 people were detained after a social media post referencing the campaign led to arson and vandalism. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi defended the slogan, arguing it is protected under Article 25 of the Constitution, while Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has framed the issue as a challenge to communal harmony.
Social media has amplified the controversy, with hashtags like #ILoveMuhammad trending alongside counter-campaigns such as “I Love Mahadev” and “I Love Ram” by Hindu groups, escalating tensions online and on the ground.
Current Status
Ahilyanagar authorities remain on high alert, with police patrolling sensitive areas to prevent further escalation. The incident underscores the delicate balance between freedom of expression and communal harmony, with the “I Love Muhammad” campaign continuing to spark unrest across India. Investigations are ongoing to determine the motives behind the rangoli and the subsequent violence, as political leaders call for calm and unity.
