Tension Grips Bareilly and Mau Following “I Love Mohammad” Controversy
Lucknow: Tension gripped the cities of Bareilly and Mau on Friday as clashes erupted after prayers over the ongoing “I Love Mohammad” controversy. Large gatherings turned confrontational when police attempted to stop people from assembling at designated protest sites.
Witnesses alleged that officers used disproportionate force, chasing worshippers with batons and dispersing crowds with lathi-charge. This led to injuries among both civilians and policemen.
In Bareilly, protests centered around the Islamia Ground, where the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC), led by cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza, had called for a peaceful gathering. However, police stopped groups en route, prompting stone-pelting incidents in the Baradari and Premnagar areas. Markets were forcibly shut down, and heavy police deployments were rushed in from adjoining districts.
Maulana Tauqeer Raza was later taken into custody, drawing condemnation from his supporters. “Our program was to present grievances lawfully, but authorities turned it into confrontation,” IMC leaders said.
Meanwhile, Mau witnessed a parallel standoff as youths carried “I Love Mohammad” placards in a procession. When police intervened, clashes broke out and demonstrators were baton-charged. Videos from both cities showed people running through narrow lanes, scattered footwear on the streets, and injured persons being carried to hospitals.
The row began earlier this month in Kanpur during the Barawafat procession, when Hindu groups objected to the “I Love Mohammad” banners. Since then, the controversy has spiraled across Uttar Pradesh.
Muslim groups describe the banners as an expression of devotion, while right-wing outfits have countered with “I Love Mahadev” hoardings, intensifying tensions further.
Political Reactions
Political voices have added to the heat surrounding the controversy. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the government, stating, “Governments survive on harmony, not lathi-charge.” Meanwhile, Congress leader Ajay Rai appealed for mutual respect, emphasizing that devotion to one’s deity should never be a cause for confrontation.
Despite police claims that “95% of worshippers offered prayers peacefully,” the repeated use of force has drawn public scrutiny. Community leaders fear that these crackdowns are alienating youth and deepening communal divides.
Timeline of Events
- Sept 4, Kanpur: Controversy begins during Barawafat procession; Hindu groups object to banners.
- Sept 5–15: FIRs registered against Muslim youths; counter-posters of “I Love Mahadev” emerge.
- Sept 15–20: Protests spread to Prayagraj, Saharanpur, and Muzaffarnagar.
- Sept 26: Major clashes erupt in Bareilly and Mau after Friday prayers; multiple injuries reported.
The situation remains tense as authorities continue to monitor developments closely.
