Amid the ongoing tensions in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly, security has been tightened, with the internet suspended, roads deserted, and security personnel deployed everywhere, ahead of the evening prayers in mosques on Friday.
Last week, violence erupted after a demonstration was cancelled over the 'I love Muhammad' poster row. After the Friday prayers, over 2,000 protestors clashed with the police outside a mosque in Bareilly, leading to the arrest of 81 people.
Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit, and Badaun districts of Uttar Pradesh are on high alert. The administration has suspended internet services in these four districts of the region until 3 pm on Saturday (October 4). In view of the celebrations on Vijayadashami, the suspension was imposed at 3 pm on Thursday.
The authorities stated that this was to prevent the spread of any rumours or misinformation and incitement of any communal tensions through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
A notification by Home Secretary Gaurav Dayal mentioned that the SMS services, mobile internet, and data, as well as broadband and wireless connections, will remain suspended.
Security has been heightened in Bareilly with the Police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel deployed everywhere on the streets, along with drones in action.
Divisional Commissioner Bhupendra S Chaudhary said, "All district magistrates, deputy collectors, police, and administrative officials must discharge their responsibilities seriously. Any lapse will invite stern action."
#WATCH | Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh | On 'Jumme ki Namaz', SSP Bareilly, Anurag Arya, says, "Today, the city has been divided into four super zones and four special zones, and forces have been deployed accordingly. Police forces have also been deployed in sensitive areas...… pic.twitter.com/xeqsLhtLF2
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2025
Meanwhile, all the religious leaders have been asked to go home after their Namaz. An official added, "Armed police forces are being positioned at sensitive locations. We are ensuring foolproof arrangements so that the disturbances witnessed in Bareilly do not spill over to neighboring districts."
Last week, cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan had called for a demonstration to support the 'I love Muhammad' campaign, which triggered massive violent protests in Bareilly. Approximately 2,000 people from the city had gathered outside the mosque for the demonstration.
However, the demonstration was called off last minute when Raza announced that the authorities didn't grant permission for it. Angry over the cancellation, the protestors began to clash with the personnel, with stone-pelting.
Ahead of the evening prayers today, Maulana Ahsan Razan Khan, who is the seniormost cleric of Ala Hazrat Dargah, appealed for peace, urging the Muslims to return to their homes after Namaz.
