UP Man Arrested for Derogatory Post Against Prophet Muhammad; Protests Erupt in Shahjahanpur

Shahjahanpur (Uttar Pradesh): A man in Shahjahanpur was arrested on Friday evening after he allegedly posted offensive content on Facebook targeting Prophet Muhammad and the Quran, sparking widespread protests and unrest in the area.

The accused, identified as KK Dixit, was taken into custody after hundreds of local residents gathered outside the Sadar Kotwali police station, demanding his immediate arrest. The protest, led by members of the Muslim community, saw people chanting slogans and refusing to disperse until action was taken.

Despite Dixit’s arrest, the protests intensified, with the crowd growing increasingly agitated. In an effort to control the situation, police used mild force, which led to a brief stampede-like situation. Slippers, bags, and other belongings were scattered across the road as people ran in panic. Although there were no major injuries reported, the atmosphere remained tense for several hours.

Community Leaders Call for Peace

Amid the unrest, Qasim Raza, a member of the Idgah Committee, appealed for peace and urged the community not to resort to violence.

“Yes, we are deeply hurt, and the anger is understandable,” Raza said while speaking to local media. “But the law has taken its course, and the accused has been arrested. We should not take the law into our own hands. Such acts deserve the harshest punishment, but we must maintain peace.”

His message was widely shared on social media and praised for helping ease tensions in the communally sensitive area.

Police Appeal for Calm

Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi addressed the media, assuring residents that the situation was under control. He urged people not to fall for rumors or inflammatory content being circulated online.

“We request everyone to act responsibly on social media. Anyone spreading hate or misinformation will face strict action,” he said.

Police continue to monitor the area and have increased patrolling to prevent any further incidents.

A Reminder on Responsible Social Media Use

This incident has once again highlighted the serious consequences of spreading hate or provocative content online. Authorities are urging citizens across communities to use digital platforms responsibly and report any content that may harm public harmony.

The district administration is working with local leaders and community organizations to restore normalcy and ensure that such incidents do not repeat.