Meerut Police Act Swiftly: Five Arrested for Unauthorized 'I Love Muhammad' Posters Ahead of Shab-e-Barat

In a swift and decisive action, Meerut police have apprehended five individuals in connection with the unauthorized display of 'I Love Muhammad' posters across the city. The arrests come amidst concerns of potential communal disharmony, particularly sensitive with the upcoming observance of Shab-e-Barat.

Authorities identified the arrested individuals as Mohammad Nadeem, Mohammad Shahbaz, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Wasif, and Mohammad Monish.

According to police statements, these posters, featuring the phrase "I Love Muhammad," were strategically affixed to streetlights in the Brahmapuri police station area without obtaining the necessary official permissions. This act, the police asserted, had the potential to ignite tensions and disrupt the fragile fabric of communal peace within the region.

The Superintendent of Police (City) for Meerut, Ayush Vikram Singh, confirmed the arrests and elaborated on the gravity of the charges.

An First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the five under several stringent sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 153A, which pertains to promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion; Section 295A, which addresses deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs; and Section 505(2), concerning statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes.

Furthermore, the individuals have also been charged with violating Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which prohibits the assembly of more than four people in an area, often imposed to prevent disturbances.

The police emphasized that the unauthorized nature of the posters, combined with the timing ahead of a significant religious festival, necessitated immediate action to prevent any untoward incidents.

The authorities remain vigilant, underscoring their commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring that no individual or group is allowed to undermine public tranquility through such provocative or unsanctioned displays.

Investigations into the full extent of the incident and any potential broader motivations behind the poster campaign are ongoing.

The arrests serve as a clear message from the administration regarding zero tolerance for actions that could potentially incite communal discord or violate established legal protocols.