Security measures escalated in response to recent clashes and upcoming Hindu festivities in Uttar Pradesh.
Security measures have been intensified across four districts in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly division, namely Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit, and Budaun, in anticipation of the Hindu festival Dussehra, which takes place on Thursday. This decision follows clashes that erupted in Bareilly on September 26, when a crowd displaying “I love Muhammad” posters confronted police outside a mosque in the Kotwali area.
In light of the potential for further unrest, Divisional Commissioner Bhupendra S Chaudhary has mandated heightened vigilance at locations such as Ramleela grounds, Durga Puja fairs, and Raavan Dahan events, which are expected to draw large crowds during the festive season. To bolster security, police, Provincial Armed Constabulary, and Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed throughout the region, and officials have confirmed the use of drones for aerial surveillance to monitor the situation.
The disturbances in Bareilly reportedly stemmed from the last-minute cancellation of a protest organized by local Muslim cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan. He had sought permission to hold the demonstration in support of the campaign but was denied. Following this, authorities alleged that Raza made speeches that incited the crowd, leading to his arrest on Saturday and subsequent placement in 14-day judicial custody. Since the unrest began, Bareilly Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya reported that a total of eighty-one individuals have been arrested in connection with the events since September 26.
In a related development, Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders Danish Ali and Imran Masood claimed they were placed under “house arrest” while attempting to travel to Bareilly. Ali, a former legislator from Amroha, stated that he was confined to his home beginning Tuesday night and accused the government of using police to suppress dissent and infringe upon civil liberties. He shared images that he claimed depicted police presence outside his residence. Masood, who serves as the MP from Saharanpur, also reported being prevented from visiting Bareilly, alongside Samajwadi Party leader Shahnawaz Khan.
However, Saharanpur (City) Superintendent of Police Vyom Bindal responded to these claims by clarifying that the police had not placed anyone under house arrest, but rather had simply deployed forces in the area. The tensions began earlier, on September 4, when a group of Muslims showcased an “I love Muhammad” banner during an Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession in Kanpur. Hindu groups objected to the banner, asserting that it introduced a “new tradition” into the procession.
In response, police stated that regulations prohibit the introduction of new customs into religious processions, leading them to file cases against 24 individuals, including 15 unidentified persons, on September 9. This action sparked protests and further processions featuring the “I love Muhammad” banners across various districts in Uttar Pradesh and beyond. Some of these protests escalated into confrontations with law enforcement, resulting in additional cases being filed.
