A controversial statement has stirred up in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district following the Islamophobic remarks by a police officer during a ‘Peace Committee meeting’ days before the Eid. The remark has drawn criticism from opposition from leaders and social media users, the Maktoob Media reports.
Videos of the discussion circulating online show Kumar saying that some people seemed “overly concerned” about the war in West Asia. He warned that raising slogans, organising protests, or displaying posters related to the US-Israel-Iran conflict could invite police action if it disturbed local law and order.
“If some people here are very concerned about the Iran–Israel war and are beating their chests about it, then they should get on a plane and go to Iran,” Kumar said.
He further warned people that raising slogans in support of either side in the Iran–Israel conflict, putting up posters or banners about the war, or creating disturbances during Eid prayers could lead to strict legal action.
He also said that if people start offering prayers on the road because there is not enough space inside mosques, the police may register cases against them. Kumar said that sometimes worshippers rush and begin praying on the road when mosques are full. According to him, police may allow it briefly, but if it continues, legal action could be taken.
Kumar further said that international issues like the Iran–Israel war should be handled by governments, and people in India should not create law and order problems over them. He warned that anyone raising slogans supporting either side could be sent to jail.
He also criticised people who make viral reels about the war on social media and warned that spreading rumours or provocative content online would not be tolerated.
Reacting to the remarks, Asaduddin Owaisi, chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), strongly criticised the officer. Owaisi said the officer had no right to threaten citizens for expressing their opinions and added that every Indian has the democratic right to peaceful protest under the Constitution.
Asaduddin Owaisi accused the officer of applying double standards, saying that authorities sometimes allow rallies supporting Israel but warn Muslims against expressing concern about the conflict involving Iran. He said peaceful demonstrations are a democratic right as long as they do not violate the law.
Imran Pratapgarhi, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Indian National Congress, also raised concerns over the conduct of the police in Sambhal, criticising an officer for warning of action against those offering namaz on the road.
Pratapgarhi described the language used as “unacceptable in a democratic country” and urged authorities to remind officers of the Constitution’s protections for citizens’ rights.
“People who are protesting in support of Israel, where should they go then?” Pratapgarhi asked. “This is not the language of responsibility. In a peace committee meeting, the focus should be on peace and brotherhood, not threats.”
Soon after, Shaukat Ali, the Uttar Pradesh president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, also criticised the officer’s remarks.
Ali alleged that the language used during the meeting amounted to intimidation of the Muslim community.
“This is a highly shameful statement, and the language being employed—coming from an officer of CO rank is utterly inappropriate. Who gave him the authority to issue threats in this manner? I would like to ask: who granted this officer the right to insult any religion? How can an officer of his stature use such language? This constitutes not merely an insult to religious freedom—the freedom of a specific faith—but is also a violation of the Police Manual. Moreover, who are you to pass judgment on foreign affairs? It is the Government of India that determines such matters; they are the ones to decide. I strongly condemn the use of such terminology,” Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq said while talking to ANI.
