Bareilly Clashes: Police Share New Details on ‘I Love Muhammad’ Violence
In Bareilly, tensions boiled over last week after a controversial ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign sparked riots. On September 26, right after Friday prayers, a large crowd hit the streets waving placards and chanting slogans as they marched toward Islamia Ground and Khalil School Chowk. Things turned ugly fast when protesters started shouting "Nara-e-Taqbeer" and ignored police orders to disperse. Soon, stones flew at officers, leading to a baton charge that caused chaos and a stampede-like scene.
The violence left a trail of destruction—rioters damaged two motorcycles and trashed a nearby shop. Scattered slippers, shoes, and stones littered the area around Khalil Tiraha for about 200 meters. Police quickly stepped in to restore calm, and they’ve since ramped up efforts to track down those involved.
Bareilly Superintendent of Police Manush Pareek told reporters that the day’s prayer timings played a role in the unrest. "Usually, namaz times vary across different spots in Bareilly," Pareek explained. "But on September 26, they lined up almost exactly the same, which brought bigger crowds together after prayers." He added that cops have filed 10 cases so far, arrested 81 people, and jailed them. Three of those arrested got leg injuries from the scuffles, and police are using CCTV footage and videos to hunt for more suspects.
To keep the peace, city police held a flag march through the area. Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya announced two fresh arrests from an early morning encounter. "We nabbed Idris and Iqbal, who are now getting medical care," Arya said. "Idris has about 20 prior cases, like burglary and robbery, and Iqbal has 17 similar ones. From them, we seized an anti-raid gun, a revolver, and live cartridges." Arya stressed that the investigation continues, and everyone behind the Bareilly riots will face justice.
The next day, on September 27, authorities arrested local cleric Tauqeer Raza, head of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council. His viral video supporting the ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign had drawn a big crowd to his home, raising fears of more trouble. Police sent him to 14 days of judicial custody, and they’re watching closely to avoid any new flare-ups in Bareilly.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) slammed the arrests of Tauqeer Raza and others in a statement Tuesday. They called for their immediate release and hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government’s response to the religious tensions in Bareilly. As the city recovers from the clashes, officials promise swift action to prevent future violence.
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