I Love Muhammad controversy sparked a massive protest in Jalandhar on October 3. Dispute erupted over 'I Love Muhammad' row in Jalandhar continued almost 4.5 hours in the city where protestors sat on the roads demanding for justice.
At 4 pm on Friday, members of a Muslim organization, marching to submit a memorandum to the Police Commissioner, were chanting "Allahu Akbar" and "I Love Muhammad."
Thereafter, a man named Yogesh riding a scooter raised "Jai Shri Ram" slogans in response. It sparked an altercation near Press Club Chowk. Yogesh alleged that he was threatened, assaulted, and his scooter keys were snatched.
The incident sparked a major protest in Jalandhar City. Hindu outfits gathered at Press Club Chowk at 5 pm. Slogans of Jai Shri Ram started echoing on the streets. Police officers reached the spot. Many leaders including former MLA KD Bhandari, Sheetal Angural reached the spot and blocked the BMC Chowk at 6 pm. People reached the spot with posters of Shri Ram's slogan. Hanuman Chalisa was also recited. The situation calmed down after the FIR at 8:30 pm.
Now, the official FIR in Jalandhar I Love Muhammad controversy has been accessed. On the complaint of Yogesh, an FIR has been filed in Navi Baradari Police Station. The Police have filed an FIR under various sections against unknown accused.
The FIR has been lodged under sections-115(2) of BNS 2023 (voluntarily causes hurt), 126(2) of BNS 2023 (wrongful restraint), 351(2) of BNS 2023 (criminal intimidation), 299 of BNS (deliberate attempt to insult religious beliefs).
Yogesh in his written complaint alleges-
"On the evening of October 3, 2025, at around 4 PM, while I (Yogesh Maini) was returning from work, I came across a group of unidentified persons belonging to the Muslim community who had gathered on the road creating a disturbance. They did not allow me to pass and forcibly stopped me, asking me to chant “Allah Hu Akbar.”
In response, I said that I chant “Jai Shri Ram.” At this, they raised the slogan “Sir Tan Se Juda Kar Denge” (we will behead you), and in a fit of anger, they attacked me with the intention to kill. They also snatched my keys and said that here one cannot say “Jai Shri Ram,” only “Allah Hu Akbar” must be said.
When I continued chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” they surrounded me and started beating me with the clear intention of killing me. At that point, Rajesh Jain and Amit Baya, who were standing near the DC Gate, intervened and rescued me.
This entire incident was deliberately executed with the malicious intent to disturb the unity and integrity of the nation, to disrupt peace and harmony in Punjab, and to create a divide between communities. I was beaten simply for saying “Jai Shri Ram.”
Therefore, I humbly request that strict legal action be taken against those responsible for attempting to disrupt the peace, unity, and integrity of Punjab."
It is pertinent to mention that Muslim group representatives have denied the charges. All India Ulema Chairman Mohammad Akbar Ali stated that their march was peaceful and meant to highlight discrimination against Muslims. He said the allegations of assault were false and clarified that the scooter keys had already been returned.