The news from bareily is disturbing and the visuals of mindless violence are frustrating. It’s been weeks since the absurd controversy over ‘I love Muhammad’ banners and posters have held much of the country, especially Uttar Pradesh in turmoil.
It is mindless escalation of a non issue and politicization of it. That our public spaces have been polarized is a sad reality. So we have some miscreant, might be politically motivated, tearing down an innocuous hoarding with a caption of ‘I love Muhammad’.
After Eid milad un nabi, celebrating the Prophet’s birthday earlier in the month, it was natural to have banners and posters expressing love for the prophet. Some one choosing to tear it down is an act of bigotry and intolerance, but might be a political mischief or worse a conspiracy.
It’s common knowledge that the desecration of the prophet’s insignia is considered blasphemous and is an emotive issue for many. The act led to protests and banners with ‘I love Muhammad’ became a rallying call.
The administration as usual chose to over react and register charges against the protesters. As the message spread that people are being arrested for expressing their love for the prophet, similar protests started across UP and neighboring Uttarakhand. Mr Owaisi decided to intervene, escalating the political climate.
At a time when the economic and foreign affairs situation is fast deteriorating and the youth is agitating over issues like democratic rights in Ladakh and employment issues in uttarakhand, communal diversions are the regime’s best bet. The political crisis over electoral roll manipulation, and SIR in Bihar are also making the regime uncomfortable.
Hence such diversions are becoming increasingly necessary. There are elements on the other side who are only too happy to oblige the regime. 3 weeks is too long a period for such controversies to continue, unless there are elements fueling them.
यह भी पढ़ें : आई लव मुहम्मद मार्च: बरेली में पथराव के बाद हिंसा, पुलिस ने किया लाठीचार्ज
