The Delhi High Court has turned down a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking an impartial probe into three police cases lodged against Muslims in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand for displaying “I Love Muhammad” posters during Milad-un-Nabi celebrations.
A bench headed by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya, along with Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, ruled that the petitioner, Shujaat Ali, lacked any genuine public interest and therefore had no standing to approach the court. The judges also underlined that the Delhi High Court does not have jurisdiction to interfere with cases registered in other states.
The plea had alleged that police in both states acted with anti-Muslim bias, converting a peaceful act of devotion into a criminal offence. The petitioner contended that the accused were only participating in their community’s religious observance and had not committed any unlawful act.
The court, however, maintained that those directly affected could pursue appropriate remedies through legal channels, making the PIL unsustainable.
The “I Love Muhammad” posters had appeared across parts of North India during Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi processions in September. What began as a simple display of affection for the Prophet soon spiralled into a flashpoint for communal tension.
The first major incident occurred on September 4 in Kanpur’s Rawatpur area, where Muslims had put up a small “I Love Muhammad” board as part of the celebration. Members of Hindutva groups allegedly tore down the sign, raising anti-Muslim slogans. Instead of taking action against the vandals, police filed an FIR against 25 Muslims, accusing them of promoting enmity and disturbing public order.
Legal experts, including advocate Mohammad Imran Khan, criticised the handling of the cases, calling it a troubling instance of selective criminalisation and a sign of growing impunity for anti-Muslim violence.
