Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh – September 27, 2025
Bareilly is now a city on high alert. Although a tense calm has settled over its streets, this follows a day of intense turmoil. Police detained a prominent local cleric, Tauqeer Raza Khan, after violent protests erupted. The unrest connects directly to the growing I Love Muhammad row. Consequently, the city feels deeply unsettled as clashes between demonstrators and police marked a day of chaos. Authorities are now implementing strict measures to restore peace and order. Because this incident has shaken the entire region, everyone watches Bareilly closely as the situation still develops.
The Spark of Violence
Trouble began shortly after Friday prayers when a massive crowd gathered in the city’s Kotwali area. Protesters held posters with the message: “I Love Muhammad.” However, the gathering did not occur spontaneously; Tauqeer Raza Khan had called for a protest march. He leads the influential Ittehad-e-Millat Council. Yet, officials denied permission for this event due to concerns about public order.
The last-minute cancellation angered the crowd, which quickly turned violent. As a result, protesters clashed with police forces present, and soon stones were flying and acts of vandalism were reported. Police responded firmly by initiating a lathi charge to disperse the agitated demonstrators and regain control.
Clashes and Consequences
The clashes unfortunately injured around ten police officers. Moreover, the chaos spread to nearby commercial areas, causing frightened shopkeepers to shut their shops, which brought business to a sudden halt.
The Cleric’s Detention
Following the violence, police acted swiftly and detained Tauqeer Raza Khan on Saturday morning. Authorities identified him as the primary instigator of the unrest. After his detention, the court sent him to 14-day judicial custody along with seven others. In total, authorities have detained over forty people in connection with the riots.
Robust Legal Response
The legal response has been robust. In response, authorities filed ten FIRs, naming Raza as an accused in seven of them. They also charged around 1,700 unidentified individuals with rioting and assaulting police personnel. To prevent further trouble, the administration suspended internet services in the district for 48 hours. Officials believe the violence resulted from a pre-planned conspiracy aimed at deliberately disturbing the city’s peace.
“The situation is peaceful and under control.” – Anurag Arya, Bareilly SSP
A Different Story from the Cleric
However, Tauqeer Raza Khan released a video statement on Friday night, challenging the police’s version of events. He claimed that authorities placed him under house arrest, preventing him from addressing his followers before Friday prayers. Raza said the District Magistrate and SSP arrived at his residence and confined him.
He also spoke to his supporters by complimenting the demonstrators, praising their courage and participation. Furthermore, Raza encouraged even those injured during the protest, directly contradicting the official narrative. He expressed deep regret for not submitting a memorandum to the President of India, which aimed to highlight what he calls “continuous attacks on Muslims.” Additionally, he alleged that someone used a fake letterhead with his name to circulate false information, deliberately sabotaging his protest efforts.
“I compliment all those youths who took part in this programme. Those who were injured are also worthy of congratulations.” – Tauqeer Raza Khan
The Wider Campaign
These events in Bareilly do not occur in isolation; they belong to a nationwide movement known as the I Love Muhammad row. The issue first surfaced in early September in Kanpur, where police filed an FIR against individuals for displaying “I Love Muhammad” boards during a religious procession.
Subsequently, the campaign then spread rapidly across India, reaching many cities in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka. In a show of solidarity, supporters pasted “I Love Muhammad” stickers on vehicles in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Therefore, the Bareilly protest represents a significant escalation in this ongoing I Love Muhammad row.
An Uncertain Future
Authorities currently control the situation, but underlying tensions persist. While the government labels the violence a deliberate conspiracy, opposition leaders criticize the police’s handling of the protest. The legal case against Tauqeer Raza Khan and his followers will undoubtedly attract close attention.
This case serves as a crucial test of deep-rooted religious and political sensitivities. Meanwhile, police investigations continue, with officials suspecting that external criminal elements helped orchestrate the violence. For now, Bareilly hopes for a swift return to normalcy amid the fallout from the I Love Muhammad row. The future of the movement itself remains uncertain.
