UP Police Officer’s ‘Go to Iran’ Remark During Eid Peace Meeting Sparks Political Row

A controversy has erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district after remarks made by a police officer during a peace committee meeting ahead of Eid went viral on social media and drew sharp reactions from political leaders.

The comments were made by Sambhal Circle Officer (CO) Kuldeep Kumar during a meeting held in the Asmoli area ahead of Alvida Jumma, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, and the upcoming Eid celebrations. The meeting was organised with members of the Muslim community to discuss law-and-order arrangements.

In a video from the meeting that circulated widely online, the officer is heard warning people not to raise slogans, organise protests, or display posters related to the ongoing tensions in West Asia, including the Iran–Israel conflict, if it disturbs local peace.

Addressing participants, Kumar said that international conflicts should not be brought into local matters.

“If some people here are very concerned about the Iran–Israel war and are beating their chests about it, then they should take a flight and go to Iran,” he said in the video.

He further stated that international issues should be handled by governments and not by local citizens, adding that the police would take strict action against anyone attempting to create disturbances in the name of the conflict.

The officer also warned that raising slogans in support of any side in the Iran–Israel conflict, displaying related banners, or spreading provocative content on social media could lead to legal action.

During the meeting, Kumar also spoke about the issue of prayers being offered on public roads during Eid due to limited space in mosques. He said that if worshippers begin praying on roads, the police may initially allow it briefly but would later register cases and take legal action.

“When there is no space in the mosque, people rush and start offering prayers on the road. If that happens, we may ignore it for a minute, but after that cases will be filed and people will be sent to jail,” he said.

Reacting to the remarks, Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, criticised the officer, saying he had no authority to threaten citizens for expressing their views.

“This country does not belong to CO Kuldeep Kumar’s father,” Owaisi said, adding that citizens have the constitutional right to express opinions and protest peacefully within the limits of the law.

Owaisi also accused authorities of applying double standards, claiming that rallies supporting Israel are sometimes permitted while Muslims are warned against expressing concern about conflicts involving Iran.

Imran Pratapgarhi, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Indian National Congress, also criticised the language used by the officer. He described the remarks as inappropriate in a democratic country and urged authorities to remind officials about constitutional rights.

“People who protest in support of Israel — where should they go then?” Pratapgarhi asked, adding that peace committee meetings should focus on maintaining harmony rather than issuing threats.

The remarks were also criticised by Shaukat Ali, who alleged that the language used during the meeting amounted to intimidation of the Muslim community. He said that if any unconstitutional act occurs, police are free to take action, but such warnings during a peace meeting were inappropriate.

Ali also suggested that community leaders should consider boycotting police-organised peace committee meetings if they feel they are being “humiliated or threatened.”

In a separate development, Avinash Pandey announced strict enforcement measures in Meerut to prevent Eid prayers from being offered on public roads. He warned that violators could face legal action, including passport cancellation.

The announcement triggered criticism online after users shared an earlier video showing police officers celebrating Holi on roadsides. Critics argued that public spaces are often used during festivals such as Holi, Ram Navami, and Kanwar Yatra, raising questions about whether rules are applied equally across communities.

Meanwhile, Krishan Bishnoi has reportedly sought an explanation from CO Kuldeep Kumar regarding his remarks during the meeting. However, no official statement has yet been issued by the Sambhal police.