Yogi’s remark on Gyanvapi mosque: Muslim leader calls ‘fill the jail’

Tension prevailed in UP’s Bareilly on Friday after Ittehad-e-Millat Council leader Tauqeer Raza Khan called on his supporters to participate in a 'jail bharo andolan' (fill the jails) in response to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's statement regarding the Gyanvapi mosque.

Yogi Adityanath's controversial statement in the Assembly suggested that Muslims should voluntarily relinquish their claim to the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura.

Tauqeer Raza Khan’s supporters took to the streets following his detention by the police. One person sustained injuries in the clashes with the police, prompting the District Magistrate to announce that the police are actively investigating the situation and will file an FIR accordingly.

After Friday prayers, a surge of supporters flooded the streets, engaging in altercations with others as videos captured the unfolding chaos.

Approximately 1,000 police officers were deployed to maintain law and order, strategically stationed at crucial intersections, densely populated areas, and entry and exit points of the city. Six additional Assistant Superintendents of Police and 12 Area Officers are also on the ground to manage the evolving situation.

The atmosphere in Bareilly remains tense, with concerns heightened due to its proximity to Uttarakhand, where communal clashes occurred in Haldwani on Thursday evening. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the need for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation.