Bareilly tense after cleric’s arrest over ‘I Love Muhammad’ clash, internet shut

Bareilly witnessed heightened tension over the weekend after violent clashes erupted during protests linked to the “I Love Muhammad” controversy. Police arrested Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, head of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, early Saturday for defying prohibitory orders and calling for demonstrations despite being denied permission.

The violence broke out on Friday when large crowds gathered outside Kotwali mosque after prayers. According to officials, some protesters resorted to stone-pelting, prompting police to use mild force to restore order. The disturbance quickly spread to other areas, including Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat and Islamia Ground, forcing shops and markets in Alamgiriganj, Bansmandi, Civil Lines and Bada Bazaar to shut down.

To prevent further escalation, authorities suspended internet services across Bareilly for 48 hours, citing the need to curb rumours and inflammatory messages. The police have since filed 11 FIRs, naming more than 2,000 people, and detained 36 individuals for interrogation. Maulana Raza and seven associates were produced in court and remanded to 14-day judicial custody.

The Uttar Pradesh government described the unrest as a deliberate conspiracy to disturb peace. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued a strong warning against attempts to disrupt law and order, while the opposition criticised the police action, accusing the administration of overreach.

The controversy began earlier this month in Kanpur when police registered a case against 24 people for displaying “I Love Muhammad” boards during a Milad-un-Nabi procession. Some Hindu groups objected, calling it a deviation from established tradition. The issue soon spread beyond Kanpur, sparking similar tensions in Bareilly, Uttarakhand, and Karnataka.

With heavy security deployment across sensitive pockets of the city, officials have appealed for calm, but the cleric’s arrest and the internet suspension have kept Bareilly’s atmosphere volatile.