“Cleric’s Arrest Sparks Unrest in Bareilly, Authorities Impose Internet Ban”

Bareilly on Edge After Cleric’s Arrest; Internet Suspended for 48 Hours.

Internet services were suspended in Bareilly for two days after the arrest of Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, president of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, whose call for a demonstration in support of the “I Love Muhammad” campaign sparked violent clashes on Friday. Authorities said the blackout was a precaution to curb rumours and maintain order.

Arrests and Charges

Police identified Maulana Raza as the key instigator of the unrest. He was arrested early Saturday from Faiz Enclave, where he had been staying, and sent to 14-day judicial custody along with seven associates: Sarfaraz, Manifuddin, Azeem Ahmed, Mohammed Sharif, Mohammed Aamir, Rehan, and Mohammad Sarfaraz. Officials accused him of misleading supporters by claiming he had left for Delhi before urging them to march despite a ban on gatherings under Section 163 of the BNSS.

DIG Ajay Kumar Sahni described the clashes as “pre-planned,” while District Magistrate Avinash Singh and SSP Anurag Arya confirmed the arrests.

The Clashes

The violence broke out near Kotwali mosque after Friday prayers when protesters defied police attempts to disperse them. Some demonstrators reportedly threw stones, forcing police to use mild force. The unrest spread to surrounding areas including Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat and Islamia Ground, leading to temporary shutdowns of markets in Alamgiriganj, Civil Lines, Bada Bazaar, and Bansmandi.

So far, 11 FIRs have been lodged naming more than 2,000 people, with two cases directly implicating Maulana Raza. Police said 36 others were detained after examining video footage.

Political Reactions

The Uttar Pradesh government called the episode a conspiracy to disrupt peace. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath vowed strict action, declaring, “Anarchy is not acceptable.” Opposition leaders criticised the crackdown, with AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi saying the campaign itself was not unlawful, while SP chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned police excesses. The BJP has instructed its leaders to refrain from making public comments.

Background of the Campaign

The controversy traces back to September 9, when Kanpur police registered a case against 24 people for displaying “I Love Muhammad” boards during the September 4 Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession. Some Hindu organisations objected, calling it a departure from tradition and a deliberate provocation. The issue quickly spread beyond Kanpur to Bareilly and even to states like Uttarakhand and Karnataka, triggering protests and police intervention.