By Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Lucknow has once again become the centre of a political storm after BJP Yuva Morcha General Secretary Amit Tripathi putting up posters saying ‘I Love Yogi Ji’ and ‘I Love Bulldozer’. The posters, displayed prominently near Samta Muluk Square and Raj Bhavan Square, feature photographs of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and a bulldozer – a symbol many Muslims believe represents state-backed harassment of their community.
Muslim residents have condemned the move, describing it as a calculated attempt to provoke them. “This is not just a poster. It is a message aimed directly at Muslims, telling us that the bulldozer is against us,” said Mohammad Salim, a local shopkeeper.
The new controversy comes at a time when ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters have been appearing in various states, prompting counter-posters from Hindu groups with slogans like ‘I Love Mahadev’. This poster war has led to protests across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat. In several places, police used lathi-charge to disperse crowds, arresting Muslim youths who were supporting the ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign.
In the Ali Khan area of Uttarakhand, violent clashes between protesters and police escalated last week. Soon after, bulldozers were used to demolish several Muslim houses, deepening fear within the community.
“Why is it that only our homes and shops are demolished? The bulldozer has been turned into a weapon against Muslims,” asked Ayesha Begum, a resident of the affected locality.
The bulldozer has become a central image of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s administration. While officially presented as a tool against illegal encroachments, its frequent use in Muslim neighbourhoods has given it a communal colour. Human rights groups and minority organisations have repeatedly called out what they describe as selective targeting.
Critics argue that the BJP’s celebration of the bulldozer openly communicates a message of intimidation. “The bulldozer is now being advertised like a badge of honour. For Muslims, it symbolises destruction of our homes and dignity,” said Imran Khan, a student activist in Lucknow.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.