NEW DELHI: Congress MP Imran Masood was placed under house arrest in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday. He was preparing to lead a party delegation to violence-hit Bareilly, where tensions remain high over the ‘I Love Muhammad’ poster row.
Masood was set to head a Congress delegation to meet the Bareilly DIG and assess the situation on the ground following Friday’s violence. However, citing security concerns and the prevailing law and order situation, local authorities prevented him from leaving Saharanpur and placed him under house arrest.
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What triggered Bareilly violence? The Congress delegation’s visit comes in the wake of violent protests in Bareilly, which erupted after Friday prayers. More than 1,000 people gathered near Islamia Ground, waving religious banners and raising slogans, following a call by cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan. The protest was triggered by an FIR registered in Kanpur over a Barawafat poster bearing the message “I Love Muhammad”. According to police, the protest turned violent when sections of the crowd began pelting stones, vandalising vehicles, and even firing in the air. The police responded with a lathi charge and tear gas, leading to a stampede-like situation. At least 10 police personnel were injured. In response, authorities detained around 50 individuals, including Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan. FIRs have been registered at multiple police stations, and police teams are combing through video footage and phone records to identify additional suspects. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath condemned the violence and ordered strict action. “Every miscreant should be identified and arrested,” he said, adding that video footage and social media posts should be used to track those involved. He also warned against rumour-mongering and attempts to incite caste or communal tensions, especially ahead of Dussehra. Religious leaders across communities have called for calm. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, appealed to people not to take the law into their own hands. “The Prophet’s message is one of peace — let us honour that by maintaining harmony,” he said. Meanwhile, security remains tight in Bareilly and other sensitive parts of the state. Flag marches were conducted, and police presence has been ramped up at religious sites and public spaces. The administration is also monitoring posts on social media and has announced fresh curbs on public gatherings under Section 144.The party has yet to issue a formal response to Masood’s house arrest.
