Sonipat: Residents of Panipat during early morning walk on Wednesday walk expressed anger to see arabic slogans of ‘I Love Muhammad’, ‘Love Jihad’ and ‘786’ in Arabic written in Shri Ram Park located on Murthal Road by the miscreants tried to disrupt the atmosphere. After this, they immediately informed the police. Police teams immediately reached the park and got slogans painted over. People associated with Hindu organisations immediately gathered in the park. Police have also been deployed in the park to prevent any deterioration of the situation. Sector 27 Station In-charge Sumit Kumar said that a complaint has been received regarding the matter, nearby CCTV cameras are being checked. Action will be taken based on the complaint. People gathered at Shri Ram Park in Sonipat throughout the day after slogans were found written.
Park gardener Narendra said he wakes up at 5:30 am to clean the park. At 6 am, he noticed the slogans written in large letters on the swings. “I stay in the room built in the park at night. I don’t know who wrote these slogans,” Narender said. He showed the writings to people walking in the park and informed Advocate Ramdhan and others when a complaint was filed by Hindu Sangathan Rakshak chief Manjeet and leader Naresh Rathore filed complaint at Sadar police station. They said the slogans were seen in a video of the park in Sector-14, Murthal Road. They claimed the writings were a planned act to disrupt social and religious harmony on the last day of Navratri and during the holy festival of Dussehra. The leaders added that Hindu religious sentiments have been hurt and demanded that those responsible be identified immediately and legal action taken.
Police teams reached the park, removed the slogans, and deployed staff to maintain order and investigate. CCTV footage from the area is being examined, and further action will be taken based on the investigation, Police Officer said. ‘I Love Muhammad’ controversy is going on at various places across the country. Controversy over the slogan “I Love Muhammad” began on September 4 in Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh). During the Barawafat (Eid Milad-un-Nabi) procession, a light board displaying “I Love Muhammad” was installed along the route, which sparked protests from local Hindu organisations. Police had removed the boards and filed complaints against nine people. The issue later escalated as rallies, banners, and posters supporting the slogan appeared in several other cities and states. In response, members of the Hindu community put up banners with slogans such as ‘I Love Mahadev/Mahakal’.
On September 26 violence spread in Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh), tensions flared over the same controversy. After Friday prayers, crowds took to the streets, attempting to forcefully enter public grounds. The protest turned violent, with stone pelting from the streets and rooftops. Police resorted to lathi-charge to control the situation and several people involved in violence were arrested by the police.
