Relevance: GS-II (Polity & Society)

The News

The I Love Muhammad rallies arose after televised and online remarks seen as insulting the Prophet; the slogan turned grievance into affirmation of faith and rapidly drew street protests.

What lay behind it

Many believers felt a hurt to religious dignity. Community leaders framed the response as love and respect, asking for apology and lawful action rather than vigilantism. The call resonated because the remarks echoed a wider climate of polarised speech.

How the protests spread

• Friday congregations created natural gathering points; marches followed prayers.
• Social media amplified local calls and shared posters, routes, and slogans.
• Demonstrations appeared across multiple cities and States; most stayed peaceful, some saw clashes and stone-pelting.
• Local administrations used curfew orders, bans on large gatherings, arrests, and in some places internet restrictions.

How organisations and parties reacted.

• Major Muslim bodies urged peaceful protest, memoranda to district officials, and court remedies.
  
• The ruling party suspended the leader whose remarks triggered anger; Opposition parties condemned the comments and also criticised “bulldozer” responses where houses or shops of accused persons were demolished.
  

Key terms
blasphemy versus free speech • law and order vs public order • curfew orders (prohibitory orders) • restorative justice • hate-speech jurisprudence

Exam hook

Key takeaways

• The slogan reframed anger as affirmation, yet policing choices shaped whether marches stayed peaceful.
  
• Administrative tools—curfew orders, internet curbs—must be narrow and proportionate.
  
• Redress should be legal (apology, prosecution where warranted), not collective punishment.
  

UPSC Prelims question
With reference to public-order management in India, which is correct?
(a) Internet suspension is a routine police power without review.
(b) Prohibitory orders legally bar all speech.
(c) Restrictions must be proportionate and narrowly tailored to prevent violence.
(d) Collective demolition of homes is a recognised punishment under criminal law.
Answer: (c)

One-line wrap
Protest is a right; keeping it peaceful needs restraint by the State and lawful, proportionate remedies for hurt sentiments.