Bareilly has been the epicentre of unrest after a protest called by cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan devolved into stone-throwing and clashes with police, resulting in dozens of arrests and injuries to law enforcement. The administration responded by suspending internet services in the division for 48 hours and deploying heightened security forces ahead of Dussehra and Friday prayers.
Speaking from Hyderabad, Owaisi condemned what he described as a selective suppression of religious sentiment. He asked: if expressions of love for a political figure are tolerated, why should similar expressions of devotion toward the Prophet be deemed objectionable? He claimed that critical coverage and hostility emerge only when such sentiment is Muslim-centred, contending that law enforcement is accountable primarily to those in power, not to citizens.
Owaisi’s remarks came alongside broader criticisms of the state response in Bareilly. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath publicly threatened strict legal consequences for those reoffending, declaring that “denting and painting must be done” for persistent violators. Meanwhile, authorities sealed 38 shops believed to be on waqf land, disproportionately affecting minority-owned businesses. Local shopkeepers called the action retaliatory.
Police arrested Tauqeer Raza Khan and several associates, and registered over 2,000 cases under serious charges including attempt to murder, inciting religious hatred and unlawful assembly. Officials claimed the protests had been planned in advance through mobilisation from hundreds of mosques across the area. Authorities also detained 15 people for alleged involvement in stone-pelting; the police stated that some of them were not locals of Bareilly.
Some Muslim communal leaders have urged restraint. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi called for peace, arguing that expressions of love should remain internal and not manifest provocatively in public spaces. Others, however, reject that restriction, contending that public religious expressions should enjoy equal protection as political speech.
Critics of the crackdown point to the challenge of balancing public order and freedom of expression. Legal experts highlight that India’s constitution protects both religious freedom and free speech, but courts have long recognised that each right is subject to “reasonable restrictions” for public safety and order. In prior judgments, the Supreme Court has emphasised that even religious speech that offends sensibilities may be limited if it provokes violence or undermines harmony.
Observers note that the uproar around the “I Love Muhammad” campaign follows similar controversies elsewhere, including objections to the display of religious slogans or posters by minority groups. Owaisi referenced a removal of a poster display in Kanpur as a trigger, asking why equivalent Hindu slogans face no resistance. He confronted the government and media over what he sees as asymmetrical censorship.
The Bareilly stir has already impacted civic life: internet suspension has disrupted communications, and religious gatherings are under scrutiny. Local administrators face pressure from both law enforcement to maintain calm and communal voices demanding fair treatment.