'I love Muhammad, I love Mahadev': Congress' Pawan Khera highlights India’s pluralistic ethos amid Bareilly unrest

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera

The Congress on Sunday invoked India’s composite cultural heritage while reacting to the controversy surrounding the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign, stressing that expressing affection for one’s God or prophet should not be seen as problematic.

Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera, in a video statement, referred to India’s deep-rooted traditions. “In a harmonious country that has seen the tradition of mystic saint Meerabai and Sufism, such dwarfs have come who see an enemy of our rich cultural tradition in a seven-year-old boy,” he said.

“They killed and then hung the body of a seven-year-old because he is from another religion. What harm could that seven-year-old cause to our cultural heritage,” Khera asked.

The Congress leader also took a swipe at the ruling dispensation. “You say in a market in Indore that Muslims should be pushed out. Our culture is so vast, and you find these working-class Muslims a danger. If someone says I love Muhammad, you have a problem with it. If that person loves his or her prophet, you should love that person,” he remarked.

‘हम अपनी जान के दुश्मन को अपनी जान कहते हैं, मुहब्बत की इस मिट्टी को हिंदुस्तान कहते हैं’ pic.twitter.com/FPBqvelAF3

— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) September 28, 2025

Asserting that devotion to one’s deity is natural, Khera said, “People love their Gods and prophets, and they should. What is wrong with this? If these dwarfs would have been there, would this have become the cradle of civilisation, would this have been called the mother of civilisations.”

“I can't leave my culture and country in the hands of these dwarfs. I love Muhammad, I love Mahadev, I love Jesus Christ, I love Nanak Dev, I love India,” Khera declared.

Meanwhile, tensions simmered in Uttar Pradesh after protests linked to the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign turned violent in Bareilly following Friday prayers. Police subsequently carried out overnight raids, making several arrests, including that of one Raza. Security was tightened, and officials confirmed social media was under close surveillance.

The disturbances spread to districts like Barabanki, Mau and Muzaffarnagar. In Faizullaganj village of Barabanki, a banner with the words 'I Love Muhammad' became the flashpoint when it was pulled down.

According to one side, a local watchman named Dhanni used a stick to cut the rope and bring the banner down. The incident, captured on CCTV installed near a mosque, clearly showed Dhanni toppling it, police said.

Soon after, members of one community gathered and voiced anger, prompting members of another to assemble as well, escalating the tension. Police later seized the CCTV footage and initiated an investigation.

Following the banner’s removal, Dhanni’s house was allegedly attacked by youths. His wife claimed intruders vandalised the home and stole belongings. Senior officers, including the additional superintendent of police and the circle officer, rushed to the spot with reinforcements from multiple police stations to restore calm.

Ajay Singh, spokesperson for the superintendent of police, clarified, “A dispute had arisen over the removal of a banner, but peace has now been restored at the scene.”

Authorities confirmed that eight individuals were arrested in Barabanki for taking out a procession after the Faizullaganj incident.

With inputs from PTI