Amid the ongoing controversy around 'I love Mohammad' posters, new visuals have emerged showing hoardings in Lucknow, which display 'I love bulldozer' and 'I love Shri Yogi Adityanath Ji'. These hoardings are reportedly installed on the orders of BJP Yuva Morcha State General Secretary Amit Tripathi, featuring a bulldozer image of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with a bulldozer image.
The hoardings were put up at several important locations of the city, including VVIP Chauraha, Samta Mulak Chauraha, and Janakipuram. According to Tripathi, CM Yogi's bulldozer action has led to peace and development in the state. He said that the people of Uttar Pradesh love CM Yogi, and his bulldozer policy is only meant for the criminals and mafia. He further explained that the posers were a way to show his admiration for the enforcement of law and order under CM Yogi's leadership.
Talking about the 'I love Mohammad' posters displayed all over, Tripathi stated that their action only aims to remind people who have truly brought peace in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP Yuva Morcha leader also went on to accuse "certain groups/ sections" who attempt to harm the established peace in the region through controversial banners, as the Yogi Government and administration work to uphold the law.
The "I Love" controversyThe "I love Mohammad" posters were first installed in Kanpur on September 4. During a Barawafat procession carried out on the occasion of Eid-Milad-un-Nabi, a group put up a banner of 'I love Mohammad' written on it along the procession route. This led local Hindu organisations to protest.
After the issue, the police initiated action, removing banners and lodging complaints against nine people. FIRs were also registered against another 15 unidentified people.
Following the incident, the controversy gained momentum, with Muslims showing support for 'I love Mohammad' in several other cities. Moreover, the Hindu communities responded with the installation of 'I love Mahadev/Mahakal' posters. Ever since then, there has been an online battle.
On Friday, even riots broke out at three places in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly and Mau. The Police had to resort to a lathi charge to bring the situation under control.