By Team Clarion
ALIGARH – In yet another troubling episode highlighting growing tension between authorities and the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh, an FIR has been registered against eight Muslim families in Aligarh for allegedly writing “I Love Muhammad” on a village wall.
The incident in Bhagwanpur village has sparked outrage among locals who believe the police action is part of a wider pattern of intimidation against minorities.
According to the police, all those named in the report belong to the Muslim community. Officials said the FIR was filed to maintain law and order, but the accused families claim they are being framed. Police have also appealed to residents to maintain peace and communal harmony in the area.
When the investigating team visited the homes of the accused, most of them were reportedly not present. The families, however, expressed shock and anger at the police action, terming it a deliberate attempt to harass innocent people.
At the home of Allah Baksh, one of the accused, his son told reporters, “We had no idea that an FIR was even filed. We work as milkmen and are out early in the morning. Our father did not write anything.”
The police team then visited the house of Sonu, another accused. His wife stated that her husband had gone to attend a wedding when the alleged writing took place. “Sonu did not write it; he is being framed,” she said firmly.
The FIR also names Gul Mohammad and his two sons, Hasan and Hamid. Their family strongly rejected the allegations. “All three have gone to Aligarh for shopping. There’s a wedding at home, and we are busy with preparations. Why would we do something like this? Our names are added just to force us out of the village,” said a family member.
Another accused, Suleman, was also not at home when the police arrived. His wife said he had gone to the mosque for prayers. She added, “Suleman is a simple man. He has never fought with anyone. A few days ago, there was a dispute in the village with Hafiz Sahib, so maybe his name was added because of that.”
The eight people named in the FIR are identified as Mustaqeem Maulvi, Gul Mohammad, Suleman, Sonu, Allah Baksh, Hasan, Hamid, and Yusuf. Their families insist that none of them are guilty and that the action was taken under pressure from local groups aiming to create fear among Muslims.
Locals allege that the issue was unnecessarily inflated by a few individuals to disturb communal peace. One villager remarked, “There are far bigger issues in the area, but writing ‘I Love Muhammad’ is being treated like a crime. Is this justice?”
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.