‘I Love Muhammad’ row sparks violence in Bareilly: Friday prayers followed by sloganeering, police lathicharge
Bareilly: Tension flared in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly on Friday after a crowd raised provocative slogans following the weekly namaz, forcing police to resort to lathicharge to disperse the mob. The unrest came after cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza appealed to people to gather at Islamia Ground to demonstrate strength over the “I Love Muhammad” poster controversy.
Although Raza himself did not appear, his call led to a large gathering, which soon turned aggressive. Police tried to stop them from marching but as the mob insisted on entering Islamia Ground, the situation escalated. Security has since been tightened across the city.
Police action caught on video
Videos from the spot showed police chasing and beating protesters as they scattered. Footwear was strewn across the roads, pointing to the chaos that unfolded. In another video, policemen can be heard saying, “Don’t beat too much, they will die,” as they attempted to control the crowd.
Role of Maulana Tauqeer Raza
Maulana Tauqeer Raza, who heads the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC), is at the center of the controversy. Known for facing allegations of inciting the 2010 Bareilly riots, Raza had earlier announced a protest at Islamia Inter College. However, the administration denied permission and imposed prohibitory measures under Section 163. Despite restrictions, his call for mobilization appeared to have fueled Friday’s unrest.
Origin of the controversy in Kanpur
The “I Love Muhammad” poster campaign began in Kanpur before spreading to Bareilly. On Thursday night, during the Urs at Shehdana Dargah, people were seen carrying these posters in a procession. The Dargah committee later appealed to youths not to use posters on vehicles or in processions, warning that torn or fallen posters could lead to disrespect of religious sentiments.
Escalation despite restrictions
Although Raza’s planned sit-in was suspended due to a lack of official permission, and prohibitory orders were in place, the situation spiraled out of control on Friday. The violent clashes have once again thrust Bareilly into the spotlight over communal tensions tied to religious symbolism.