Synopsis: Shahjahanpur police booked nearly 200 Muslims for protesting a derogatory post against Prophet Muhammad. Community leaders call it criminalisation of victims and demand accountability.
Qalam Times News Network | Shahjahanpur | September 18, 2025
Protest in Shahjahanpur Sparks Controversy
Shahjahanpur became the centre of controversy after police booked almost 200 Muslim residents who had protested against a derogatory social media post targeting Prophet Muhammad and the Quran. The incident has triggered outrage within the community, which argues that instead of protecting religious sentiments, the police turned the protest itself into a law-and-order case.
Derogatory Post and Immediate Arrest
The chain of events began on September 12, when Krishna Keshav Dixit, a self-proclaimed journalist, uploaded a Facebook post containing slurs against Prophet Muhammad and misinterpretations of Quranic verses. The post, widely circulated before being deleted, was seen as an attempt to provoke communal unrest. Following public pressure, police arrested Dixit and registered a case against him under Sections 295A and 153A of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Community’s Demand and Counter-Protests
On September 13, members of the Muslim community submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, demanding that Dixit be booked under the National Security Act (NSA). In response, Hindutva groups launched counter-protests demanding his release. Acting on their complaint, police turned against the protestors themselves, lodging cases against nearly 200 Muslims under multiple provisions of the BNS and the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1932.
“Victims Turned into Accused”
Locals argue that the protests were largely peaceful, except for isolated incidents near Sadar Bazar police station where two vehicles were set on fire. “The real culprits are those who insulted our Prophet, but the police have chosen to punish those who sought justice,” said one resident. Community leaders and human rights activists have condemned the FIRs, calling it part of a larger trend in Uttar Pradesh where Muslims are criminalised for protesting hate speech.
Police Response and Security Measures
Shahjahanpur Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi said the crowd attempted to storm the police station and refused to disperse, forcing authorities to use baton-charge. He confirmed that cases were filed against 200 “unknown protestors” and a special team has been formed to identify individuals using viral videos, CCTV footage, and police recordings. Dwivedi also stated that social media monitoring units are tracking those who circulated derogatory content.
Pattern of Criminalisation in Uttar Pradesh
This is not an isolated case. Earlier this month, 25 Muslims were booked in Kanpur after a signboard reading “I Love Mohammed” was vandalised by Hindutva groups. Days later, 30 Muslim youth were arrested in Firozabad for allegedly deviating from the designated Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession route. Rights activist Nadeem Khan noted, “This is the third reported case in a week where Muslims, instead of perpetrators, are facing criminal action. It is now a visible pattern.”
Tense Calm in Shahjahanpur
Police claim the situation in Shahjahanpur is now calm, though heavy deployment remains in sensitive areas. Flag marches are being conducted regularly to prevent further unrest. Meanwhile, community leaders insist that unless authorities stop criminalising peaceful protestors and take strong action against hate speech, the cycle of mistrust will only deepen.
