PIL before Delhi High Court to quash FIRs over 'I love Muhammad' posters in UP, Uttarakhand

A public interest litigation (PIL) petition has been filed before the Delhi High Court challenging criminal cases registered against members of the Muslim community for displaying posters and banners reading 'I Love Muhammad'.

The posters were put up during the Mila-un-Nabi festival, commemorating both the birth and passing of the Prophet.

The petition, filed by Shujaat Ali, a representative of Raza Academy and the National President of Muslims Students Organisation of India, accuses police in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand of registering false and communal FIRs that criminalise peaceful religious expression. 

As per the petitioner, the people displaying those posters were merely celebrating their religious festivals and express their devotion to God.

"However, without any cogent or independent evidence, they have been framed in multiple criminal cases by members of the majority community, who have levelled allegations of rioting, criminal intimidation, and breach of peace against them," the plea stated.

Invoking Articles 14, 15, 19, 21 and 25 of the Constitution, the petition argues that the FIRs registered in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur and Bahraid and Uttarakhand's Udharmsingh Nagar violate fundamental rights to equality, free expression, liberty and freedom of religion.

As per the plea,

“Criminalising peaceful religious expression not only harms the petitioners but also undermines the secular fabric of the nation.”

The plea was filed through advocate Lakshay Sharma.