‘I love Muhhamad’ row | Will find out if there is a larger conspiracy to polarise society: CM Fadnavis

Fadnavis who was touring Yavatmal in Vidarbha region was speaking to the media on Monday. Responding to developments in Ahilyanagar which led to clashes and violence

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devendra fadnavisFadnavis who was touring Yavatmal in Vidarbha region was speaking to the media on Monday. (File image)

Expressing serious concerns over clashes in Ahilyanagar in Maharashtra over an ‘I love Muhammad ‘ rangoli display, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said, “We will have to find out if there is any conspiracy behind it. While everybody has the right to practice their religion, any attempt to disturb the communal harmony and peace in society cannot be acceptable.”

Fadnavis who was touring Yavatmal in Vidarbha region was speaking to the media on Monday. Responding to developments in Ahilyanagar which led to clashes and violence, Fadnavis said, “We will have to find out if there was any design behind putting up such boards or quotes.”

“During the Lok Sabha similar attempts were carried out leading to sharp polarisation. We have to ascertain if something similar was happening now. Everybody is free to pursue their religion. But in the name of religion, if there are other devious plans to polarise society and disturb harmony, it cannot be allowed, ” he warned.

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The ‘I love Muhammad’ graffiti appeared in the Milliwada area leading to protests with a group of youths taking to streets and blocking roads. The police resorted to a lathicharge to disperse the demonstrators. At least 30 persons were detained in the scuffle.

Locals lodged a complaint at the nearby police station, following which an FIR was registered. One person was arrested for making the rangoli. However, protesters were not convinced and began a demonstration in Kotla under the Tofkhana police station area.

Earlier, in Kanpur on September 4, 2025 “I Love Muhammad” boards were put up during an Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession. At least 24 people were detained for allegedly disturbing “communal harmony”.

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