Cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan detained after Bareilly protest over ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign

Bareilly: Police on Saturday detained cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, chief of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, a day after his call for a protest in support of the ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign led to clashes in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly.

“Tauqeer Raza has been taken into custody, and further legal proceedings are underway. The situation is peaceful and under control,” Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya told reporters.

The detention followed Friday’s violence outside a mosque in the Kotwali area, where a large crowd carrying ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters clashed with police after prayers. The protestors were reportedly angered by the last-minute cancellation of a demonstration announced by Raza, who claimed authorities had denied permission for it.

The clashes involved stone-pelting and vandalism, leading to over two dozen arrests.

Later that night, Raza released a video statement alleging he was placed under house arrest and prevented from addressing his followers. In the video, he congratulated demonstrators injured in the clashes, saying, “Tauqeer Raza has been taken into custody, and further legal proceedings are underway. The situation is peaceful and under control.”

He also expressed regret at being unable to submit a memorandum to the president of India through the district magistrate, flagging what he called “continuous attacks on Muslims.” Raza alleged that a fake letterhead and a false statement were circulated in his name and accused police of deliberately using force against Muslims.

“The more police try to suppress this issue, the more it will come to the fore. If attempts are made to stop religious matters, no one will remain silent,” he warned, adding, “Had I gone for the Friday prayers, nothing like this would have happened.”

Raza claimed he would not mind being arrested, remarking, “I would be happy if I were arrested. Just like (gangster) Atiq Ahmad was shot, shoot me as well. The government is responsible for 140 crore people. Intolerance towards one group is unacceptable.” He also alleged that this time “there was no Hindu-Muslim conflict; police committed atrocities against Muslims.”

His comments came after District Magistrate Avinash Singh and DIG Ajay Kumar Sahni described the violence as a planned conspiracy aimed at disturbing peace, despite prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Authorities said permission had been denied for the march and submission of a memorandum, but some people still took to the streets.

The controversy over ‘I Love Muhammad’ slogans began in Kanpur earlier this month, when police registered an FIR against 24 people for displaying banners with the phrase during an Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession. Hindu groups had objected, calling it a “deliberate provocation.” The row has since spread to other districts in Uttar Pradesh and to states like Uttarakhand and Karnataka, triggering protests and police crackdowns.

The issue also drew a response from AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who said expressing love for the Prophet was not a crime.