Bareilly erupts: "I love Muhammad" protests turn violent, police use lathi charge and tear gas

Bareilly (The Uttam Hindu): After Friday prayers in Bareilly city of Uttar Pradesh, a huge uproar broke out over banners and slogans of "I love Mohammad." Hundreds of worshippers started a protest outside the mosque located near the Biharipur police post in the Kotwali police station area. The worshippers took to the streets and raised slogans like "I love Mohammad" and "Nara-e-Taqdeer" and waved banners. The pressure of the crowd increased so much that the police had to resort to lathi charge and tear gas shells.

The controversy began in Kanpur, where an FIR was filed against 25 Muslim youths for displaying "I Love Mohammad" banners during the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession. Bareilly's famous Dargah Aala Hazrat strongly condemned the action, and a poster campaign in support was launched across the city, led by Jamaat Raza-e-Mustafa. Since last week, these banners have been put up in areas such as Zakhira, Azamnagar, Biharipur, Kohadapir, Gulab Nagar, Shahamatganj, Kila, Jogi Nawada, Hajiapur, Shahdana, and Satellite City. Protesters say this is an expression of love and respect for the Prophet Mohammad, which falls within the constitutional right to freedom of expression.

The situation went out of control in the district after the Friday prayers. Maulana Tauqeer Raza had appealed to the Muslim community for a peaceful protest at the Islamia Ground in Bareilly. As soon as the prayers were over, hundreds of people took to the streets. They insisted on forcibly entering the ground. When the crowd moved forward shouting slogans, a heavy police force led by Bareilly Range DIG Ajay Sahni used force. The lathi charge created a stampede and people started running here and there. The police repeatedly appealed to the Namazis to return home, but the crowd did not listen. The smoke from tear gas created panic in the area.

Speaking to reporters at the scene, DIG Ajay Sahni said, "Legal action is being ensured by filing a case against the accused." He clarified that no leniency will be shown to maintain law and order. Sahni stated that strict security arrangements will be made in all four districts of the Bareilly Range: Bareilly, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, and Pilibhit.