Thu Sep 18 09:40:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the Uttar Pradesh incident:

**Kanpur Police File Charges Over ‘I Love Muhammad’ Banners, Sparking Outrage**

**Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh –** A controversy has erupted in Kanpur after local police filed a case against five named individuals and 15 unidentified people for displaying banners proclaiming “I Love Muhammad” during Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from prominent Muslim leaders, including Hazrat Syed Mohammad Ashraf Kichhouchhvi, Chairman of the World Sufi Forum, who accused the police of siding with “hate-mongers.” He stated that expressing love for the Prophet Muhammad is a constitutional right. Kichhouchhvi questioned the legality of punishing individuals for engaging in what he believes is a legitimate act of devotion.

According to reports, police removed the banners, citing them as a “new tradition” and claiming they hadn’t been displayed previously. Kichhouchhvi has condemned the police action as discriminatory and suggested it reflects a broader pattern of bias against the Muslim community in the region. He warned that such actions could be considered “state-sponsored terrorism” if authorities continue to collaborate with those sowing discord. He also highlighted the potential for such actions to undermine public trust in institutions, urging both state and central governments to address the issue seriously.

Kichhouchhvi urged the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to take swift action against the police officer who filed what he called a baseless case, and to crack down on those spreading hate. He vowed that Muslims would continue to express their love for the Prophet, despite the alleged restrictions.

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