Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath struck a stern tone against those seeking to disrupt peace in Uttar Pradesh, with pointed remarks about the recent unrest in Bareilly.

During the “Developed Uttar Pradesh Vision @ 2047” event in Lucknow, the CM thundered, “In Bareilly, one Maulana forgot who is in power. He threatened to enforce a blockade. We made it clear, neither blockade nor curfew will happen. We will teach such a lesson that even his future generations will forget the idea of rioting.” He left no ambiguity about the depth of his resolve.

He went further to explain that since his government took over in 2017, it has confronted rioters “one by one, in the language they understand,” establishing a climate of law, order, and security that has helped power Uttar Pradesh’s growth. His remarks were clearly directed at Maulana Tauqeer Raza, head of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, who was arrested later that day in connection with the “I Love Muhammad” protests.

Officials report that nearly 40 individuals have been arrested so far, while FIRs have been filed naming around 2,000 unidentified persons. The disturbance was triggered when Maulana Raza, despite being denied permission by police, called for a protest following Friday prayers. What began as a religious gathering soon turned violent. The mob hurled stones at security personnel, forcing the police to resort to lathi-charge. Video footage circulating online shows rioters vandalizing cars and bikes; in the scramble, some left behind piles of slippers and shoes. Disturbingly, minors were also seen among the crowd.

Security forces first placed Raza under house arrest. He was then detained in the early hours of the next morning and presented to court at 6 a.m. after undergoing medical examinations. The court has remanded him to jail, and he has since been moved to Sitapur Jail, citing security concerns.

The unrest erupted outside a mosque in Bareilly post-Friday prayers. On Maulana Raza’s call, a Muslim crowd had gathered in support of the “I Love Muhammad” movement. They intended to march to Islamia Maidan, but police blocked their way. Protesters retaliated with stone pelting, shouting “Allahu Akbar.” Shops and vehicles near the Khalil School intersection were damaged. Hundreds of individuals took to the streets in various city areas, brandishing banners and posters reading “I Love Muhammad.”

Uttar Pradesh Arrests Cleric Tauqeer Raza Over ‘I Love Muhammad’ Violence in Bareilly

Muslim cleric and leader of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, has been arrested by Uttar Pradesh police amid violent clashes in Bareilly tied to protests supporting the “I Love Muhammad” campaign.

The violence erupted after Friday prayers, leaving at least 22 policemen injured and prompting the arrest of more than two dozen individuals. Authorities had placed Raza under house arrest late last night. He was subsequently detained early the next morning and produced in court at 6 a.m. The court sent him to jail, and he was later transferred to Sitapur Jail on security grounds.

The clashes occurred outside a mosque in Bareilly after prayers. Under Maulana Raza’s call, a Muslim crowd gathered in support of the “I Love Muhammad” campaign and attempted to reach Islamia Maidan. When police intervened, protesters hurled stones and threw slogans of “Allahu Akbar.” Shops and vehicles around Khalil School intersection were vandalized. Hundreds of people marched through various parts of the city, carrying posters and banners reading “I Love Muhammad.”

To restore order, police used tear gas shells and lathi-charge. Multiple FIRs were registered at Kotwali, Baradari, Premnagar, and Kila police stations, naming both known and unnamed individuals. Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan has been named as the main accused, charged with instigating the riots.

A nearly identical incident has also been reported from Mau in Uttar Pradesh.