Saying ‘I love Mahadev’ disrespectful to Mahadev: Shankaracharya amid Bareilly unrest

Protests and violent clashes had broken out in parts of Uttar Pradesh over an FIR against 24 people for putting up ‘I Love Mohammad’ posters.

Published on: Oct 4, 2025, 13:27:54 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Amid the ongoing ‘I love Mohammad’ protests in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati on Saturday claimed that saying “I love Mahadev” is disrespectful to Mahadev. He added that the controversy was started to draw the public's attention from ‘real issues’.

File photo of Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda (PTI file)

“I don't know about Mohammed. Those who are with Mohammed may know about him. But is saying, ‘I love Mahadev’, an honour or an insult to Mahadev?” the religious leader, who is known for making controversial statements, said.

Speaking in Bihar's Bettiah, Avimukteshwaranand said, “I love Mohammed, I love Mahadev' row has been started to distract the public from the real issues.” He said that saying “I love Mahadev” is an insult to Mahadev. “Is Mahadev a matter of worship or love?" he said, terming it ‘disrespectful’.

‘I love Mohammad’ protests have rocked parts of Uttar Pradesh over the past few weeks. Last Friday, around 2,000 protestors clashed with police outside a mosque after the congregational prayers.

Maulana Tauqeer Raza, a cleric and Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief, who was later arrested by police, allegedly called for a protest in support of the 'I Love Muhammad' poster. However, the cleric made a last-minute announcement that the demonstration had been called off, resulting in unrest. At least 81 people have been arrested in the aftermath of the protests.

The protests had been called over the FIR against 24 people for allegedly installing boards with “I Love Muhammad” written on them on during a Barawafat procession on September 4.

Hindu groups and organisations in the area objected to the posters and called it a "deliberate provocation."

The initial call for the protest made by Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan called for a procession to the district magistrate's house to submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which penned their dissatisfaction with the FIR against the poster.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.