Following violent clashes in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, during protests related to the "I Love Muhammad" campaign, police have arrested 72 people. The unrest occurred on September 26, 2025, after Friday prayers. The protests were sparked by objections to the alleged derogatory remarks against the Prophet Muhammad and against the Kanpur police action against people who carried "I Love Muhammed" banners during a recent Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession in Kanpur.
The situation escalated when a large group of demonstrators gathered near Islamia Ground, resulting in property damage and attacks on police officers. Law enforcement responded with mild force to disperse the crowd after instances of stone-pelting. At least 10 police personnel were injured during the clashes. The violence spread from the Ala Hazrat Mosque to Naumahla, Novelty Square, Azamnagar, and Shyamganj Market, causing shops to temporarily close.
Among those arrested were individuals from outside the Bareilly district, including cattle smuggler Tazim, who was previously jailed under the Gangster Act. Tazim allegedly fired at police officers during the crackdown, and authorities recovered a country-made weapon from him. Local cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, the chief of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC), has been named as the main accused and was also arrested. Police claim that IMC members had planned an indefinite protest instead of submitting a memorandum. According to police, Nadeem, a key associate of Raza, allegedly orchestrated the protest by mobilizing a crowd of around 1,600 people through WhatsApp calls.
In response to the violence, authorities have tightened security measures in Bareilly and surrounding areas. Internet services were suspended in the district to prevent the spread of rumors; the ban has been extended until September 30. Police have registered 10 First Information Reports (FIRs) at different police stations in Bareilly, detaining at least 39 people in connection with the violence. Authorities have also conducted flag marches in various localities. The Bareilly Development Authority has sealed properties, including a hotel and marriage halls, owned by individuals accused of sheltering the accused or violating building regulations.
The "I Love Muhammad" controversy began earlier in September after an "I Love Muhammad" poster was put up during an Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession in Kanpur. Hindu groups objected to the posters, deeming them a "new trend" and a deliberate provocation.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has defended the "I Love Muhammad" slogan and condemned the violence. He argued that expressing love for religious figures is a constitutional right under Article 25 and criticized the actions taken against those displaying the banners. Owaisi questioned why expressing faith should be seen as provocative, stating that "saying I Love Muhammad is not a crime". He accused the BJP and RSS of attempting to impose one religion on India.
The incident in Bareilly reflects increasing tensions over religious expression in public spaces. Similar incidents and protests related to the "I Love Muhammad" slogan have occurred in other states, including Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and Karnataka.
