Jalandhar: The controversy surrounding the poster, ‘I Love Muhammad’, which originated in Uttar Pradesh, reached Jalandhar on Friday evening, leading to a confrontation that
escalated into a political protest. An altercation occurred between a Hindu youth and Muslim protesters who had gathered to submit a memorandum addressed to the President regarding the UP incidents. Later, local BJP leaders and other Hindu groups launched a protest and staged a dharna at the busy BMC Chowk, demanding the
registration of a case. Advocate Naeem Khan, president, Muslim Sangathan Punjab, said that his group was gathered to submit a memo to the commissioner of police outside the district administration complex when a man on a scooter, identified as Yogesh Maini, ran into them and raised slogans.”Cops were present, and they intervened. The situation was soon sorted out, but then it was made into a big issue,” Khan claimed. However, Yogesh Maini, a local resident, alleged that he was stopped and forced to raise religious slogans, but he instead raised ‘Jai Sri Ram’ slogans, after which he was “assaulted”. Maini said he was saved by local residents Rajesh Jain and Amit Bhatia. Both are active leaders of the BJP and RSS. When questioned, Bhatia denied knowing Maini, stating they only intervened when they saw he was surrounded by an “angry and aggressive crowd” after raising the ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan.
The incident was captured on cameras, and the video quickly went viral, fueling the tension. Following the videos
circulation, local BJP leaders, VHP, and various groups of Shiv Sena mobilised to the site and commenced a
protest.
The groups later moved to BMC Chowk and staged a dharna for over two hours. Key participants included Punjab
BJP vice-president K D Bhandari, former MLA Sheetal Angural, and district BJP President Sushil Sharma. The
protesting Hindu groups also called for a further demonstration at Company Bagh Chowk on Saturday.
Later, police registered an FIR on the statement of Maini. The case was filed against unidentified persons for
offences including voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint, criminal intimidation, and hurting religious
sentiments under sections 115, 126, 351, and 296 of BNS.
Maini later submitted a supplementary statement to the police, adding a few local leaders of the Muslim
community to the list of accused.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Pargat Singh issued an appeal to all communities in Jalandhar to maintain peace and
brotherhood. “Punjab has always lived in harmony, and no one will be allowed to disturb this unity. Let the law
take its own course. I urge everyone to cooperate with the administration and ensure calm,” he posted on his
social media accounts