"For the last month, Indian police have raided multiple markets and homes, arresting Muslim men in states governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party. Some of their homes have been bulldozed. The genesis of their alleged crime is common: writing, I Love Muhammad, a reference to Prophet Muhammad, on posters, t-shirts, or in social media posts. The authorities say the expression is threatening public order."
"So far, at least 22 cases have been registered against more than 2,500 Muslims. At least 40 people have been arrested across multiple states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to the nonprofit Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR). On September 4, Muslims living in Kanpur city of the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh were observing Eid al-Milad al-Nabi, the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad."
"But the board, mimicking the popular I Love New York signage that has been copied all over the world, drew criticism from some local Hindus. Initially, their complaint alleged that the illuminated board was a new introduction to traditional festivities on the occasion, when Uttar Pradesh's laws bar new additions to public religious celebrations. About 20 percent of Kanpur's population is Muslim."
Police across several BJP-governed Indian states have conducted raids on markets and homes, arresting Muslim men and demolishing some residences. The arrests stem from instances of people displaying or writing "I Love Muhammad" on posters, t-shirts, and social media, which authorities say threaten public order. At least 22 cases have been registered against more than 2,500 Muslims, with around 40 people arrested, according to APCR. The incident in Kanpur during Eid al-Milad al-Nabi sparked local complaints and legal action under charges of promoting enmity on religious grounds, carrying potential jail terms.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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