Bareilly tense as police personnel and protesters clash over poster row

Tension rose in Bareilly city of Uttar Pradesh on Friday (September 26, 2025) after the followers of an Islamic cleric carrying “I Love Muhammed” banners clashed with the police resulting in lathi-charge.

A huge crowd gathered near the Islamia Ground after the Friday prayers in response to a call by Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan to protest against the police action against those who carried “I Love Muhammed” posters during an Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession in Kanpur on September 4. The Kanpur police had filed a first information report against 24 people in this regard. Right-wing groups had then objected to the use of such posters during the procession, citing a “deviation from tradition”.

After the Friday prayers, some protesters allegedly threw stones at the police and raised objectionable slogans. The police lathi-charged them to control the situation. The police said they had denied permission for the protest. “On September 21, Ittehad-e-Millat Council, gave a call to assemble at the Islamia Ground on September 26, after Friday prayers.

The administration denied permission in written and verbal form. Most people went home after Friday prayers, but some individuals violated Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita [that prohibits protests without permission] and attempted to enter the ground. These miscreants misbehaved with the police and threw stones. The police used minimum force to disperse the crowd. We are identifying miscreants based on video and CCTV footage. We request everyone to maintain peace,” said a statement from the Bareilly Police. 

Mr. Khan’s protest was also against alleged instances of derogatory remarks against the Prophet in different parts of the country, including Shahjahanpur.

A large contingent of police and paramilitary personnel has been deployed in the area. Senior district police officials, including the Senior Superintendent of Police and six Additional Superintendents of Police, are camping there. The District Magistrate has declared Section 163 of the BNSS in the area.

Mr. Khan, a religious leader of the Barelvi movement of Sunni Muslims, is the great-grandson of Ahmed Raza Khan, who was the founder of the Barelvi movement. The movement is a moderate form of Sunni Islam with strong Sufi influence.