‘I Love Muhammad’ row: What is ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’, a narrative UP CM Yogi says will never succeed in India

Yogi Adityanath

Amid the ongoing row over ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath issued a stern warning to those trying to disrupt peace and harmony in the state.

“Ghazwa-e-Hind will not happen on the soil of Hindustan. Even imagining ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ or dreaming of it will get a ticket to hell,” Adityanath said.

The chief minister was addressing a public gathering in Balrampur.

“Some people living in India are working to encourage anti‑national activities inside the country by raising the slogan 'Ghazwa‑e‑Hind.' But Ghazwa‑e‑Hind will not take place on Indian soil,” the chief minister said.

The chief minister’s remarks came in the backdrop of a clash between police and crowd carrying 'I Love Muhammad' posters in Bareilly. Citing the lathi-charge that took place in the city, Adityanath said that miscreants would be dealt with in a similar manner.

"A few individuals should not be allowed to spoil the environment. These are the same people who brought an identity crisis to Uttar Pradesh along with the corrupt governments. There were no investments or developments in the state due to these people," the chief minister said.

"Now they are adopting new tactics. But they must remember that we are more prepared than they think. They will be beaten just as they were beaten in Bareilly," he added.

What is the 'Ghazwa-e-Hind' reference made by CM Yogi Adityanath?

The notion of Ghazwa-e-Hind draws on Hadiths (narrations/traditions of Prophet Muhammad) that foretell an Islamic campaign in India preceding the ‘end of times,’ culminating in the subcontinent’s conquest.

Despite doubts expressed by many scholars about their reliability, these narrations have been exploited by terror groups to fuel anti-India sentiment and justify violence, particularly in Kashmir. By invoking Ghazwa-e-Hind, extremists aim to inspire young recruits to embrace militancy as a form of religious devotion.

Terror groups based in Pakistan, including Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and others, have been reportedly leveraging Ghazwa-e-Hind as a Hadith to enrol, fund and defend its audacious terror strikes as a religious holy war against India.

CM Yogi’s warning to miscreants

This isn’t the first time that the chief minister has made such a statement. Earlier too, Yogi Adityanath had warned those dreaming of Ghazwa-e-Hind, saying such attempts would not be successful.

“For those dreaming of Ghazwa-e-Hind, this is New India under leadership of PM Modi. New India is for development of all, but appeasement of none. It'll run as per Constitution not Shariat. Ghazwa-e-Hind' ka sapna Qayamat ke din tak sakar nahi hoga,” he said in conversation with ANI.

What CM said in Balrampur?

Condemning the "I love Muhammad" posters, CM Yogi said that the "fools" are ruining the lives of the children.

"These fools don't even know that symbols of faith are honoured, not loved. Faith isn't something to be displayed at crossroads; it's a matter of conscience. Some people are creating chaos in society by giving small children posters of 'I Love Muhammad'. They don't even realise that their own lives are already ruined, but they're hell-bent on ruining the lives of these children as well," he said, as reported by ANI.

He warned the miscreants against anarchy and said, "The government will never accept this kind of anarchy. Anyone who attempts to take the law into their own hands, be informed in advance that we will issue them a ticket to hell without asking. This anarchy is unacceptable."