Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, chief of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, was arrested on Saturday following violent clashes between protesters and police in Bareilly. The unrest erupted after Friday prayers when demonstrators gathered in support of the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign, defying police orders and triggering a confrontation outside the Kotwali mosque.
According to Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya, the protest was called off at the last minute due to lack of permission, but crowds still assembled, leading to stone-pelting, vandalism, and injuries to 22 police personnel. Authorities recovered pistols, petrol bottles, and batons from the scene.
‘I Love Muhammad’ Row: How a Slogan Sparked Protests Across UP
Tauqeer Raza, who had earlier released a video endorsing the campaign, claimed he was placed under house arrest and prevented from submitting a memorandum to the district administration. In his statement, he accused the police of targeting Muslims and suppressing religious expression. “Attempts to silence us will only amplify our voice,” he said.
Police have registered 10 FIRs, naming Raza in seven of them. Over 39 individuals were detained, and legal proceedings are underway against more than 1,700 unidentified persons. Officials suspect the involvement of outsiders and are using CCTV footage and manual intelligence to identify all participants.
The 'I Love Muhammad' slogan, which gained traction during Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi processions earlier this month, has sparked communal tensions across Uttar Pradesh and other states. In response, counter-campaigns like 'I Love Mahadev' have emerged, further polarizing public sentiment.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned the violence, warning that those who incite unrest will face severe consequences. “No one is above the law. The state will not tolerate attempts to disrupt peace,” he said during a public address in Lucknow.
Civic Advisory:
Residents are urged to avoid large gatherings and follow local law enforcement directives. Section 163 of BNSS, prohibiting unauthorized assemblies, remains in effect in Bareilly.