Tauqeer Raza Arrested Following 'I Love Muhammad' Campaign Protest in Bareilly: Religious Tensions Escalate Across India

Protesters had gathered outside Tauqeer Raza's house holding 'I love Muhammad' placards.

Tauqeer Raza, a local cleric and chief of Ittehad-e-Millat Council, was arrested on Saturday after his call for protest supporting the 'I love Muhammad' campaign resulted in chaos in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly. Officials reported that a substantial crowd had assembled outside Raza's residence following his video post supporting the campaign.

He is currently under interrogation, according to officials.

District Magistrate Avinash Singh informed NDTV that Raza's representatives had been explicitly told that no permission for any program or procession had been granted. "We had informed his representative that Section 163 of the BNSS was in effect and no gathering would be permitted. They had agreed and assured us they wouldn't proceed with the march. However, some individuals attempted to continue after Friday prayers, which led to tensions rising," the District Magistrate explained.

Bareilly Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya stated that while most people dispersed peacefully, a segment of the crowd attempted to disrupt law and order.

"Approximately 80 to 90 percent of people departed after prayers, but a few individuals tried to instigate others and move toward Islamia Ground. We have reason to believe some external criminal elements were also involved," the SSP told NDTV.

Seven additional individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident. While over 40 people have been taken into custody, authorities have filed a case against 1,700 unidentified persons under sections related to rioting, obstruction of government work, and assault on police personnel.

Significant chaos erupted in Bareilly after Friday prayers when police resorted to lathi charge to counter stone pelting by protesters demonstrating in support of the 'I love Muhammad' campaign. Officials reported that 10 policemen were injured during the clash.

Videos showed a large crowd gathered outside Raza's house, chanting slogans and holding placards with 'I love Muhammad' written on them.

#WATCH | Protestors gathered outside Ala Hazrat Dargah & IMC chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan's house holding 'I Love Mohammad' placards after the Friday prayers in Bareily, UP. Heavy security is deployed at both spots. pic.twitter.com/rcZSAQyH8S

Top officials have instructed authorities in Bareilly to take firm action against those disrupting normalcy.

This confrontation is the latest in a dispute that began weeks ago over an 'I love Muhammad' poster. Similar violence occurred during protests in Uttar Pradesh's Mau after Friday prayers when some demonstrators allegedly pelted stones after being asked to return home. Police then employed lathi charge to disperse the crowd.

Protests supporting the 'I love Muhammad' campaign have spread nationwide. Earlier this week, minority community members damaged several shops and vehicles and threw stones in a village in Gujarat's Gandhinagar district. Posters with 'I love Mohammed' text appeared in Karnataka's Davangere, resulting in stone pelting between two groups. Unrest was also reported in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao, Maharajganj, Lucknow, and Kaushambi.

The controversy originated on September 4 during the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur, when an 'I love Muhammad' poster was displayed on a tent along the route. Local Hindu groups argued that the poster was deliberately placed at a location where Hindu festivals like Ram Navami are celebrated.

Subsequently, tensions escalated between the two communities. Hindus alleged their posters were torn down, while Muslims claimed they were targeted for expressing love for the Prophet. The issue gained traction on social media with #ILoveMuhammad trending online.

Weeks later, a counter-campaign emerged in Varanasi as religious leaders protested against the 'I love Muhammad' posters with 'I love Mahadev' placards. The religious leaders described their demonstration as a response to allegedly "provocative" attempts to disrupt communal harmony.