In Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly, chaos erupted following Friday prayers as police resorted to a lathi charge against protestors reportedly pelting stones, escalating the controversy surrounding the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign. This incident marks the latest in a series of conflicts that originated weeks ago over an 'I Love Muhammad' poster, which has now triggered protests and counter-protests across India.

Bareilly Violence: Clashes and Arrests

A large crowd gathered at Bareilly's Islamia Ground after Friday prayers, responding to a call by Maulana Tauqeer Raza, the local cleric and chief of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, to demonstrate in support of the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign. Similar protests had previously erupted nationwide after an FIR was lodged in Kanpur against nine named and fifteen unnamed individuals following the police's removal of a tent displaying the poster on September 4.

Despite a heavy police presence, the crowd swelled as some attendees allegedly raised objectionable slogans. Reports indicate that certain protestors began pelting stones at police officers, prompting authorities to respond with a lathi charge to regain control. After dispersal, the area around the protest site was littered with slippers, shoes, and stones, covering approximately a 200-metre radius. At least 12 individuals were arrested in connection with the Bareilly clashes.

Bareilly Inspector General Ajay Sahni stated, "The police were conducting a flag march and instructed people to offer namaz and go home. Later, some in the crowd pelted stones and opened fire. Some weapons have been recovered. The attack appears to be a pre-planned conspiracy." He also confirmed that ten policemen sustained injuries during the clashes.

Political Reactions

The government faced criticism from political leaders. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the lathi charge, stating, "Governments function with harmony and goodwill, not lathicharge. Highly condemnable!"

Protests in Mau and Baghpat

The unrest was not confined to Bareilly. Approximately 600 kilometers away, Mau witnessed a similar scenario as hundreds gathered after Friday prayers to lead a procession and chant slogans. When authorities requested the crowd to disperse, some participants allegedly began stone-pelting, prompting the police to enforce a lathi charge.

In Baghpat, a procession was halted due to a lack of permission, resulting in an altercation. The police registered cases against two named individuals and 150 unnamed persons.

Origins of the 'I Love Muhammad' Row

The controversy began on September 4 during the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession in Kanpur when an 'I Love Muhammad' poster was displayed on a tent along the route. Local Hindu groups objected to the poster, claiming it was deliberately placed in a mixed neighborhood traditionally celebrating Hindu festivals like Ram Navami. Tensions escalated, with both communities accusing each other of provocation—Hindus alleging that their posters were damaged, while Muslims claimed they were targeted for merely expressing love for the Prophet.

The issue gained traction on social media, with the hashtag #ILoveMuhammad trending widely. Kanpur police registered cases against 24 individuals on September 9, citing the tent's relocation rather than the poster itself. Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi commented on the controversy, stating, "If someone says, 'I Love You', then what's the problem? What's the problem with writing 'love'? What message do you want to send to Muslim countries around the world with this? What's the problem with 'I Love Mahadev'? It should be done, it's their faith. This is a way of socially boycotting Muslims."

बरेली में जुमे की नमाज के बाद 'I Love Muhammad' स्लोगन को लेकर बड़ा बवाल!

मौलाना तौकीर रजा के आह्वान पर उमड़ी भीड़ बेकाबू हो गई, पुलिस पर पथराव। हालात काबू करने के लिए पुलिस ने लाठीचार्ज कर दिया। शहर में तनाव, भारी फोर्स तैनात। #Bareilly #ILoveMuhammad #UPNews #JummahClash pic.twitter.com/XJXPBcncKk— Shivang Timori (@shivangtimori) September 26, 2025

Spread of Protests Across India

The protests have spread to multiple states. In Mumbai’s Malvani area, clerics visited local police stations to express concerns about discrimination against Muslims, criticizing authorities for removing the posters while allowing Hindu groups to mount counter-campaigns.

In Gandhinagar, Gujarat, a group of minority community members damaged shops and vehicles and hurled stones at a village following an objectionable social media post. Police detained approximately 60 individuals, noting that four shops and five to six vehicles were damaged.

Karnataka’s Davangere also witnessed unrest when posters stating 'I Love Mohammed' led to stone-pelting between two groups. Additional unrest was reported in Unnao, Maharajganj, Lucknow, and Kaushambi in Uttar Pradesh, with multiple cases registered.

The 'I Love Mahadev' Counter-Campaign

In Varanasi, religious leaders initiated a counter-campaign weeks later with placards reading 'I Love Mahadev'. Led by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Narendrananda, the demonstration criticized the 'I Love Muhammad' movement, claiming it aimed to "destroy the country under the guise of devotion" and alleging conspiracies to destabilize governments and divide society.

Detailed Account of Bareilly Violence

The Bareilly clashes were triggered by protestors gathering around Maulana Tauqeer Raza’s residence and a nearby mosque, displaying banners with 'I Love Muhammad'. This occurred despite Raza's last-minute announcement to call off the protest due to permission not being granted. Sources indicated that Raza had earlier warned the protest would proceed “at any cost”.

The police responded to stone-pelting and vandalism, including attacks near Khalil Higher Secondary School, with a lathi charge to restore order. Authorities also placed Maulana Tauqeer Raza under house arrest ahead of the protests. He is a prominent cleric and a direct descendant of Ahmed Raza Khan, founder of the Barelvi sect of Sunni Islam.

Bareilly District Magistrate Avinash Singh stated, “A few days ago, an organisation had proposed holding a march on Friday and submitting a memorandum in support of a protest. We had informed it that any such action required written permission first, as Section 163 of the BNSS (power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) is in effect throughout the district.” He emphasized that strict action was taken after protesters ignored this requirement.

DIG AK Sahni added, “Law enforcement authorities had been engaging with people, urging them to conduct prayers peacefully. But a group of agitators suddenly emerged, engaging in violent acts, including stone-pelting and firing. Comprehensive video and photographic evidence of the incident was captured.” He confirmed that Friday prayers were conducted peacefully in most areas but noted disturbances at three or four locations, resulting in injuries to over 10 police officers and suggesting a premeditated conspiracy.

In UP's Bareilly, police opened lathicharge and dispersed a huge crowd of people who had gathered to submit a memorandum to the adminstration over the "I love Mohammad" banner controversy. Reports of crowd resorting to stonepelting triggering lathicharge has also surfaced. pic.twitter.com/EcqDpVr79P— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) September 26, 2025

Arrest of Maulana Tauqeer Raza

Following the unrest, Tauqeer Raza was detained on Saturday for his role in sparking the protests. Officials confirmed that a massive crowd had gathered outside his residence after he posted a video supporting the campaign. He is currently being interrogated, and a case has been filed against 1,700 unidentified individuals under sections related to rioting, obstruction of government work, and assault on police personnel. Over 50 people have been taken into custody.

#WATCH | Protestors gathered outside Ala Hazrat Dargah & IMC chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan's house holding 'I Love Mohammad' placards after the Friday prayers in Bareily, UP. Heavy security is deployed at both spots. pic.twitter.com/rcZSAQyH8S— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2025

Final Thoughts

The 'I Love Muhammad' controversy, which began with a simple poster during an Eid procession in Kanpur, has spiraled into widespread unrest across multiple states in India. It has involved violent clashes, arrests, and counter-protests, reflecting deep communal sensitivities. Authorities in Bareilly and other regions continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing that normalcy must be maintained and warning against the spread of misinformation. The incident highlights the complex dynamics of religious sentiment, public expression, and law enforcement in contemporary India.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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