Congress Leaders Placed Under House Arrest Ahead of Bareilly Visit Amid ‘I Love Muhammad’ Row

Bareilly: In a significant development in the ongoing ‘I Love Muhammad’ controversy, Congress leaders Imran Masood and Danish Ali were placed under house arrest on Wednesday ahead of their planned visit to violence-hit Bareilly.

Former MP Danish Ali was detained at his residence in Amroha as he prepared to travel to Bareilly, while Masood, who intended to lead a Congress delegation to meet the Bareilly DIG and assess the situation on the ground, was stopped from leaving Saharanpur due to security concerns and the prevailing law and order situation.

The delegation-level visit was planned in the wake of violent protests in Bareilly last Friday, which erupted following Friday prayers. The unrest was sparked by a gathering of over 1,000 people near Islamia Ground, who raised religious slogans and waved banners after a call by cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan. The demonstration followed a police complaint in Kanpur over a Barawafat poster displaying the message “I Love Muhammad”.

The protest turned violent as sections of the crowd began pelting stones, vandalising vehicles, and firing in the air. Police responded with lathi charges and tear gas, resulting in a stampede-like situation. At least 10 police personnel were injured, while authorities detained around 50 individuals, including Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan. Multiple FIRs were filed, and police are reviewing video footage and phone records to identify additional suspects.

Following the unrest, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned the violence and ordered strict action. Internet services in Bareilly were suspended, including SMS, mobile internet, and broadband, as per a notification issued by the state home department, signed by Secretary Gaurav Dayal.

Authorities have filed 10 cases on rioting and other charges against 180 named individuals and 2,500 unnamed people, with around 40 arrests, including local clerics who allegedly instigated the protests.