- By Chetna Shree
- Sat, 27 Sep 2025 08:04 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
I Love Muhammad Row: Internet services were suspended in Bareilly for 48 hours after the arrest of Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, a local cleric and president of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council. On Saturday. Maulana’s call for a protest in support of the ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign led to violent clashes with police following Friday prayers.
Authorities have announced a 48-hour internet shutdown starting from 12:30 AM on September 27 to 12:30 AM on September 29 to curb the spread of rumours and maintain public order in the region, Jagran.com reported.
The Uttar Pradesh government termed the violence a “conspiracy” to disrupt communal harmony, while the opposition parties condemned the police action.
Latest Updates On ‘I Love Muhammad' Row
- Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan was arrested on Saturday morning from Faiz Enclave, where he had been living.
- Police identified him as the main accused behind the unrest. He reportedly called for a protest despite being denied permission by the authorities.
- He has been sent to 14-day judicial custody along with seven others, including Sarfaraz, Manifuddin, Azeem Ahmed, Mohammed Sharif, Mohammed Aamir, Rehan, and Mohammad Sarfaraz
- District Magistrate Avinash Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya confirmed the arrests.
- Additionally, 36 individuals were taken into custody for questioning following a review of the video footage.
- Till now, 11 FIRs have been filed, naming over 2,000 people, India Today reported. Of these, two cases directly name Maulana Tauqeer Raza.
- Following the arrest of Maulana Tauqeer, the internet services were suspended for 48 hours across the districts with the administration citing the move as “a precaution to curb the spread of rumours and ensure law and order.”
- Earlier on Friday, protestors gathered outside the Kotwali mosque after prayers. When police tried to disperse the crowd, the protestors turned violent and began throwing stones, prompting police to use mild force to restore order outside the mosque.
- The clashes immediately escalated into violent protests and spread to nearby areas, including Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat and Islamia Ground, leading to the temporary closure of Alamgiriganj, Civil Lines, Bada Bazaar, and Bansmandi.
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the government will not tolerate any disruption to law and order. “Anarchy is unacceptable,” he warned, adding that anyone threatening security or attacking citizens will face strict action.