“For such anti-social elements who were getting a free run, we have brought in the bulldozer. Our government uprooted mafia rule and put the State on the path of development,” Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said. File
| Photo Credit: ANI
Reacting over the clashes between demonstrators and police in Bareilly on Friday (September 26, 2025), Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday (September 27, 2025) said that the Maulana (cleric) in Bareilly forgot whose government is in the State and that “we will teach a lesson so strong that generations will forget to riot”.
The police have arrested the cleric, Tauqeer Raza Khan, who is the chief of Ittehad-e-Millat Council, and seven others after there was a violent clash between the police and people who protested 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. Mr. Khan had given the call for protest.
“The Maulana in Bareilly seemed to have forgotten whose government is in place. He threatened to block roads, but we made it clear: no jam, no curfew will be imposed. We will send a message so strong that even future generations will hesitate to riot,” said Mr. Adityanath, addressing a function in Lucknow.
Mr. Adityanath said since 2017, his government has dealt firmly with rioters, responding in ways they understand. “This strict approach has ushered in a new era of peace and security in Uttar Pradesh, laying the foundation for the State’s development story,” he said.
Police personnel keep a vigil amid tight security after recent clashes, in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, on September 27, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
‘I love bulldozer’
The Chief Minister said the previous governments compromised with rioters and anti-social elements. “Chacha-Bhatija duo were involved in extortion, while every district was handed over to mafias to run parallel government. People at the top of power bowed before mafias. The head of government felt honoured shaking hands with a mafia’s dog. In such a corrupt system, neither daughters nor traders nor farmers were safe,” he alleged.
“For such anti-social elements who were getting a free run, we have brought in the bulldozer. Our government uprooted mafia rule and put the State on the path of development,” Mr. Adityanath said. He added that U.P. was not inherently ‘BIMARU’, but was made one by dynasty politics, casteism, and sick mentalities.
In a related development, multiple posters of ‘I Love Adityanath’, and ‘I Love Bulldozer’ surfaced across Lucknow in response to the ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign, which led to clashes in Bareilly. These posters were erected by BJP Yuva Morcha Lucknow general secretary Amit Tripathi.
Published – September 27, 2025 10:22 pm IST
