Lucknow/Bareilly: Amid heightened tensions in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, following violence on September 26 over the ‘I Love Mohammad’ poster controversy, a Samajwadi Party (SP) delegation was set to visit the city on Sunday to meet victims and assess the situation. However, the Uttar Pradesh Police took stringent measures, placing Leader of Opposition in the UP Assembly, Mata Prasad Pandey, under house arrest. Police forces were also deployed outside the residence of Sambhal MP Ziaur Rahman Barq. Additionally, MPs Iqra Hasan, Mohibullah Nadvi, and Rampur MP Harendra Singh Malik were stopped at the Ghazipur border on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.
The 14-member SP delegation, formed by party president Akhilesh Yadav, aimed to investigate alleged arrests and atrocities against innocent people in Bareilly. However, the Bareilly District Magistrate (DM) issued a letter to police officials across districts, directing that no political leaders or delegations be allowed entry into Bareilly without permission. Following this, Lucknow Police served a notice to Mata Prasad Pandey and stationed a heavy police force outside his Vrindavan Colony residence.
Mata Prasad Pandey’s Attempt Thwarted
On Monday morning, Mata Prasad Pandey stepped out of his residence and attempted to board a vehicle but was stopped by the police. Speaking to the media, he said, “If the Collector had directly issued the notice, I would have accepted it. But this letter came from the Bareilly DM, stating that our visit would disturb the atmosphere. We were going to gather information from party workers and address public issues. This restriction shows the administration is hiding its shortcomings. We will discuss with party leaders and decide the next step.” Pandey called the move unconstitutional, accusing the BJP government of committing atrocities and then suppressing dissent.
MPs Stopped at Expressway
Meanwhile, a group of SP MPs, including Iqra Hasan, Mohibullah Nadvi, and Harendra Singh Malik, traveling to Bareilly, was halted by UP Police at the Ghazipur border on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. Iqra Hasan remarked, “We don’t understand why we’re being stopped in this undeclared emergency. We urge the administration to accompany us. We’re not hiding anything; we have no agenda. What dark secrets is the UP government trying to conceal by preventing us from entering Bareilly?” Mohibullah Nadvi termed the action unconstitutional, alleging that the BJP government is trying to cover up its excesses.
In Sambhal, police were deployed outside MP Ziaur Rahman Barq’s residence, preventing him from leaving. SP leaders accused the administration of attempting to silence their voices.
Background of Bareilly Violence
On September 26, protests erupted in Bareilly following a call by Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan in support of the ‘I Love Mohammad’ campaign. After Friday prayers, demonstrators pelted stones at the police, injuring 10 officers. The police responded with lathi charges and tear gas. Subsequently, 11 FIRs were filed, and over 81 people have been arrested. Recently, IMC’s national general secretary Nafees Khan and his son Farman Khan were also detained. Police claim Farman managed IMC’s Facebook page and that all were part of a planned conspiracy. Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya stated the protests were pre-planned with external involvement.
To curb unrest, the administration suspended mobile internet and broadband services for 48 hours from 3 PM on October 2 to 3 PM on October 4. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ashutosh Kumar Singh said, “There are no issues now. Police are deployed everywhere, and the situation is under control.”
Police’s Stance
The police stated that the restrictions were imposed to maintain law and order and ensure security. Bareilly Range DIG Ajay Kumar Sahni said the protests were pre-planned with external involvement, and stopping the SP delegation was necessary for peace. SP leaders, however, called it an attack on democracy, while the administration maintained it was a necessary step.
The situation remains tense, and the SP is expected to decide its next course of action soon.
