Bareilly: Bareilly witnessed tense scenes after police used lathis and tear gas to disperse protesters demanding the withdrawal of FIRs against Muslims linked to the “I Love Muhammad” campaign. The demonstration, led by Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza, turned chaotic outside a mosque in the Kotwali area following Friday prayers.
The campaign began in Kanpur on September 9 when police filed FIRs against 24 individuals for displaying “I Love Muhammad” boards during an Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession. Since then, thousands of FIRs have been registered across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Karnataka. Hindu groups objected to the campaign, sparking unrest and police action.
On Friday, police accused protesters of disorderly conduct and moved in with force. Local witnesses alleged that Muslims were unfairly targeted. Security was heightened after a letter, later claimed to be fake, circulated online asking Muslims to remain home for Friday prayers.
Maulana Tauqeer Raza was arrested Saturday and sent to 14 days judicial custody. Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya confirmed his arrest, adding that over two dozen others were detained. Raza alleged he had been placed under house arrest to prevent him from addressing supporters or submitting a memorandum to the District Magistrate. The memorandum sought presidential intervention against alleged attacks on Muslims.
Raza rejected claims of communal conflict, stating the unrest stemmed from police suppression. He warned that suppressing religious sentiments would only strengthen them.
