Cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan Detained Amidst 'I Love Muhammad' Protest Row in UP

In a significant development that has sent ripples across Uttar Pradesh, prominent Muslim cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan was detained on Thursday in Bareilly. The detention came as Khan, head of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC), was leading a 'jail bharo andolan' (fill the jails movement) – a mass protest he had called for, initially in Delhi and later rerouted to Bareilly.

The highly anticipated protest aimed to voice strong objections against alleged 'attacks on madrasas' and perceived 'disrespect to Prophet Muhammad'.

Authorities, anticipating a large gathering and potential law and order issues, had already imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in Bareilly, prohibiting assemblies of four or more people. Despite this, Khan had been steadfast in his resolve to proceed with the agitation.

Reports indicate that Khan was apprehended by a heavy contingent of police personnel near his residence as he was preparing to march towards the designated protest site.

Eyewitnesses described a tense scene, with a significant number of his supporters attempting to prevent the police from taking him into custody, chanting slogans in his support and against the administration. However, the police swiftly and firmly moved in, escorting the cleric to the police lines.

Prior to his detention, Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan asserted that his protest was entirely peaceful.

He reiterated his intention to court arrest voluntarily, stating, "I have not called for any violence; I will offer myself for arrest. I will go to the police and ask them to arrest me." His statements underscore the non-violent nature he claimed for his movement, despite the strong emotions it evoked.

The 'jail bharo andolan' was a culmination of growing discontent within certain sections of the Muslim community regarding various issues.

Khan has been a vocal critic of what he perceives as a systematic targeting of madrasas and a lack of respect shown towards revered religious figures. His call for a mass arrest movement was a dramatic escalation of these grievances, designed to draw national attention to the plight of the community he represents.

This event marks another chapter in the politically charged atmosphere of Uttar Pradesh, where religious and communal issues often take centre stage.

The detention of a prominent cleric like Tauqeer Raza Khan is likely to ignite further debate and discussion, not just in Bareilly but across the state, regarding religious freedom, freedom of protest, and the state's handling of such sensitive matters.

As the situation unfolds, observers will be keenly watching the aftermath of Khan's detention and how it impacts the broader social and political landscape, especially concerning communal harmony and minority rights in India.