Over a week after clashes erupted in Bareilly over the ‘I Love Muhammad’ row, DIG (Bareilly Range) Ajay Kumar Sahni said that the posters were not the issue but action had to be taken after a large gathering disturbed law and order last Friday. Speaking to The Indian Express on Saturday, Sahni said, “The posters were never an issue. In fact, even before last Friday’s incident, we had informed the gathering’s organisers about this. However, when they took the law into their own hands by pelting stones at the police, we were compelled to take action.” Authorities also demolished a banquet hall owned by a man arrested in connection with the clashes, stating that it was illegal. The Opposition Samajwadi Party and BJP, meanwhile, continued to spar over the incident after a 14-member delegation led by Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey was stopped from visiting Bareilly. Pandey, 83, the most senior leader in the UP Assembly, said he was not allowed to leave his house by the Lucknow Police. “What can be expected from such a system when the Chief Minister of the state himself says ‘me inko sabak sikhaunga (I will teach them a lesson)?” Hitting back, UP Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Keshav Prasad Maurya wrote on X: “The SP is known for its dirty politics of Muslim appeasement. A riot-free UP, good governance, and law and order are our identity and achievement. This is exactly what the SP supporters cannot stomach.” UP Minister J P S Rathore also alleged: “Who are they going to Bareilly for? For those who broke the law, pelted stones, and attacked the police? Anyone chanting ‘Sar tan se juda (beheading)’ will face strict legal action.” The violence broke out on September 26 after police stopped people carrying “I Love Muhammad” placards from assembling post Friday prayers. While most had dispersed, some in the crowd allegedly hurled stones, raised slogans, and opened fire. Police had arrested Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) president Maulana Tauqeer Raza, who they called the “main conspirator” behind the clashes. Ten FIRs have been registered, over 200 people have been named among 2,800 accused and 83 arrested — of which at least three people were nabbed in shootouts, including Tauqeer’s close aides. On Saturday, the Bareilly Development Authority (BDA) demolished Raza Palace, owned by Dr Nafees, in the Jakhira area, amid heavy police deployment. Dr Nafees (65) and his son Farhan (32) were arrested last Wednesday in connection with the clashes. BDA Vice-Chairman Dr Manikandan said it was routine action: “We have been demolishing illegal buildings and it has nothing to do with the law and order situation. This is a routine affair. We are taking action against anyone who has constructed a building without getting [land] maps approved.” DIG Sahni said the situation has been brought under control and that police are closely monitoring all developments. “We have constituted a 13-member SIT led by an officer of SP rank to investigate the 10 FIRs registered under relevant sections of the BNS, including charges of rioting and forgery,” Sahni said. “People who want to put up posters saying ‘I Love Muhammad’ at their homes, mosques, or Idgahs are free to do so. It is their personal religious matter. However, organising gatherings, holding marches, and creating a ruckus in the name of ‘I Love Muhammad’ will not be allowed,” he asserted. Asked whether the police had removed such posters in Bareilly, Sahni said the information was incorrect. In Lucknow, LoP Pandey said the MPs who were part of the delegation had left from Delhi, but were stopped from leaving their homes in their constituencies. “I reached my home in the PGI area last night and found policemen outside. A sub-inspector handed over a notice issued by the local SHO, stating that I was not allowed to go to Bareilly as it would disturb the law and order situation. How can a sub inspector serve such a preventive order? This morning, the police handed a letter from the Bareilly DM, which cited preventive orders. and said my visit may escalate the situation,” he said. “Preventive orders are in force in the district, but not beyond its borders. They should have stopped us at the borders, not at our homes. The policemen are not even allowing me to go to the party office in Lucknow,” the LoP added.
