Addressing a public gathering in Balrampur on September 28, CM Yogi Adityanath came down heavily on those involved in the violent demonstrations triggered by the controversial “I Love Muhammad” posters. Referring to the Bareilly clashes, he warned that miscreants would be dealt with strictly, stating, “They will be beaten just as they were beaten in Bareilly.”
The Chief Minister asserted that the law-and-order machinery in UP is fully prepared to counter any attempt to disturb communal harmony.
The ‘I Love Muhammad’ Row
The controversy erupted after police in Kanpur registered an FIR against nine named and 15 unidentified persons for allegedly installing boards with “I Love Mohammad” written on them during a Barawafat procession on September 4. The campaign soon spread to other districts, including Bareilly and Mau, leading to protests and violent clashes with police.
On September 27, protests outside the Ala Hazrat Dargah and the residence of Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan in Bareilly turned violent, prompting police lathi-charge. Later, police arrested Maulana Raza, calling him the “main conspirator” of the unrest, and sent him to judicial custody.
Yogi’s strong remarks
Condemning the use of children in protests, CM Yogi lashed out at organisers, calling them “fools” who were ruining lives.
He remarked: “Faith is a matter of conscience, not something to be displayed at crossroads. Some people are creating chaos by giving small children posters of ‘I Love Muhammad’. Their own lives are ruined, and now they are ruining the lives of innocent children.”
He added that the state government would not allow such acts of anarchy: “The government will never accept this kind of disorder. Anyone who attempts to take the law into their own hands will be given a ticket to hell without asking.”
Law and order priority
CM Yogi reiterated that those trying to disturb social harmony were the same groups responsible for keeping Uttar Pradesh backward under previous governments. He underlined that today’s UP is different, focused on investment, development, and security, and will not tolerate any attempts to derail progress through communal tension.
Following the violence, Bareilly Police detained several individuals, while DIG Ajay Kumar Sahni confirmed the arrest of Maulana Tauqeer Raza. Security has been tightened in Bareilly, Kanpur, and Mau to prevent further escalation.
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