Samajwadi Party Delegation Blocked by UP Police from Visiting Bareilly Amid 'I Love Muhammad' Slogan Controversy

Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq was among delegates prevented from visiting Bareilly amid tensions.

New Delhi:

Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq on Saturday challenged the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to block a party delegation from visiting Bareilly during the ongoing 'I Love Muhammad' slogan controversy.

Barq, a member of the delegation, denounced the police intervention as undemocratic and without justification.

"If police administration and government officials in Bareilly claim everything is normal with no issues, why prevent our visit? We strongly object to this obstruction. Our intention was to meet affected families and compile an accurate report to help them secure justice," Barq stated.

The Samajwadi Party delegation included MPs Iqra Hasan, Mohibbullah Nadvi, and Barq, who departed from senior party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Harendra Singh Malik's residence earlier that day. They were following directives from Opposition Leader Mata Prasad Pandey to meet with individuals allegedly harassed during police operations in Bareilly.

However, substantial police forces prevented the delegation from proceeding.

SP MP Awadhesh Prasad commented on the situation: "The delegation was unfortunately halted at the BJP government's direction. The government's actions are inconceivable, preventing legitimate concerns from being raised. The delegation's purpose was to speak truthfully, distinguish right from wrong, and advocate for justice, not to provoke unrest. Blocking this represents a violation of democratic principles. In a democracy, Opposition parties have equal rights to ruling parties, but the BJP government is attempting to suppress these democratic rights."

Previously, SP MLA Ataur Rehman expressed similar views, explaining that their objective was to evaluate the actual situation and provide support to those wrongfully targeted.

The controversy originated from recent events in Bareilly where several young people were reportedly detained or questioned for chanting slogans in praise of Prophet Muhammad. While authorities maintain that the situation remains under control, Opposition leaders have accused the state government of engaging in communal profiling and restricting freedom of expression.