**Bareilly: Police Detain Cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan Amid Clashes Over ‘I Love Muhammad’ Campaign**
On Saturday, September 27, the police detained Tauqeer Raza Khan, a local cleric and chief of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, in connection with violent clashes that erupted in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, according to NDTV reports. Khan is currently being interrogated.
The unrest followed Khan’s sudden announcement postponing a planned demonstration supporting the “I Love Muhammad” campaign. After Friday prayers, large crowds gathered outside the Ala Hazrat Dargah and the cleric’s residence in Bareilly, holding placards bearing the slogan “I Love Muhammad.”
Tensions escalated after the UP police resorted to lathicharge to control the crowd following chaos post-Friday prayers. Protesters reportedly pelted stones at police personnel, triggering violent clashes. At least ten police officers were injured during the confrontation.
Several videos surfaced online showing sizeable groups congregating outside Khan’s home, chanting slogans and holding “I Love Muhammad” posters. Dozens of individuals were taken into police custody amid the chaos.
According to police reports, the large crowd gathered in the Kotwali area — near both the cleric’s residence and a mosque located a short distance apart — expressing anger over the suspension of the demonstration.
Khan had made a last-minute announcement to call off the march, explaining that authorities had not granted permission for the event, as reported by PTI citing official sources. District Magistrate Avinash Singh stated:
“A few days ago, an organisation proposed holding a march on Friday and submitting a memorandum in support of a protest. We informed them that prior written permission was necessary under Section 163 of the BNSS (power to issue orders in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger), which is currently in effect across the district.”
He added, “Despite this, after Friday prayers, some people took to the streets in certain areas and tried to disrupt peace. The police responded with strict action on the spot. The situation is completely under control. I request everyone not to pay attention to rumours.”
Prior to these events, on Thursday, Khan had warned that the demonstration would proceed at any cost.
Tauqeer Raza Khan is a direct descendant of Ahmed Raza Khan, founder of the Barelvi sect of Sunni Islam, one of the most prominent sects in the Indian subcontinent.
The violence reportedly broke out near a small mosque adjoining Islamia Ground in the city center, close to the Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat — a highly revered shrine for followers of the Barelvi sect.
As protesters attempted to march toward the Islamia Inter College grounds, police tried to block their path at Khalil Tiraha. This led to stone pelting and vandalism of vehicles and shops, escalating the situation into a stampede-like scenario.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to maintain peace and order.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/up-cleric-tauqeer-raza-khan-detained-a-day-after-violent-clashes-in-bareilly-over-i-love-muhammad-poster-row-report
