In Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, police detained Tauqeer Raza Khan, the chief of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, following violent clashes that erupted during a protest supporting the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign. The unrest occurred after Friday prayers when a large crowd gathered outside a mosque, leading to confrontations with law enforcement. Bareilly Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya confirmed that Raza has been taken into custody and assured that the situation is now under control.

The protests were sparked by the last-minute cancellation of a demonstration that Raza had planned, which he claimed was denied permission by the authorities. This led to a crowd of demonstrators clashing with police, resulting in stone-pelting and vandalism. Over two dozen individuals were detained during the chaos.

In a video released after the clashes, Raza challenged the police's account of events, stating he was placed under house arrest and prevented from addressing his followers. He expressed support for the injured demonstrators, calling them “worthy of congratulations,” and lamented his inability to submit a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu regarding what he described as “continuous attacks on Muslims.” Raza accused the police of deliberately using force against the Muslim community and claimed that misinformation was spread under his name.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath responded to the violence by warning that those who incite riots would face severe consequences. He emphasized that his government would not tolerate blockades or curfews and would take strong action against those attempting to disrupt peace. Adityanath criticized previous administrations for allowing lawlessness and vowed to maintain order.

The controversy surrounding the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign began earlier in September when police in Kanpur registered an FIR against individuals for displaying similar posters during an Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession. This incident led to tensions between communities and sparked protests across several districts in Uttar Pradesh, as well as in states like Uttarakhand and Karnataka. The situation has drawn national attention, with political leaders weighing in on the implications of the protests.