September 27, 2025

Loud slogans, stones flying, and chaos rocked Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh after Friday prayers over 'I Love Muhammad' posters. Over 1,000 protesters gathered near Islamia Ground, waving banners and yelling religious slogans. Things turned ugly as stones were pelted at police and vehicles were vandalized. The police fought back with a lathi charge and tear gas, leading to a chaotic stampede scene. At least 10 policemen were hurt, and authorities said some protesters even fired shots in the air. Why all this drama? It started with Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan calling for a march to the District Magistrate’s office to protest an FIR filed by Kanpur police for a board showing 'I Love Muhammad' at the Barawafat event on September 4. The protest soon attracted a big crowd but ended in violence. The police detained 50 people, including Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan himself. FIRs are being filed in multiple police stations, and searches are underway to catch the troublemakers. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath did not mince words. Ahead of the Dussehra festival, he ordered strict action: “Every miscreant should be identified; no one should be spared through video footage and social media monitoring.” He highlighted the festival’s symbolism saying, “Dussehra symbolises the burning of evil and terror; this is the right time to take action against miscreants.” Yogi also warned against spreading rumours or stirring caste tensions: “Arrest the rumour-mongers,” he said, urging local authorities to stay alert and follow rules strictly during the festival. From the religious side, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi of All India Muslim Jamaat called the violence “unfortunate.” He pleaded for peace: “The only way to love Paigambar-e-Islam is to not hurt anyone… He has given a message of peace to the entire world. So, I urge all Muslims to maintain law and order, not take law into their hands, and not cause conflicts with anyone.” Meanwhile, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi spoke out from Bihar, questioning why love became a problem. “What is anti-national about love? Are we promoting violence with love? …The biggest Muslim population in Asia lives in India. What kind of message are you giving with this reaction?” he asked. The police were quick to respond with flag marches led by District Magistrate Avinash Singh and SSP Anurag Arya. Arya warned, “Strict action will be taken against those who broke the law.” Officials have videos and call records of the instigators and are hunting them down. The tension didn’t stay in Bareilly. Similar protests popped up in Mau, Varanasi, Moradabad, and even beyond UP in Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Gujarat, Bihar, and Maharashtra. In Mau, a kids-filled unauthorized march was broken up, while police in Beed, Maharashtra filed a case against a cleric for inflammatory remarks against CM Yogi. Authorities have tightened security during Durga Puja and Dussehra events. Surprise checks on slaughterhouses, traffic control, and women’s safety measures like Mission Shakti 5.0 are in place to keep the peace. Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya explained the police action clearly: "There was no disturbance throughout the day, but around 2:30 pm in Kotwali area, a large group insisted on gathering at Islamia Ground without permission. When they misbehaved and started stone-pelting, police used minimal force to disperse them. We are investigating who was involved and strict action will follow. Reports of firing have been received, and those behind the call to gather will be arrested." The situation remains tense as authorities promise to keep a close watch, ensuring that peace wins over violence just in time for Dussehra’s festive cheer.

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Tags: I love muhammad posters, Bareilly violence, Up protests, Yogi adityanath, Maulana tauqeer raza khan, Asaduddin owaisi,