Internet Services Suspended In Bareilly For 48 Hours Amid 'I Love Muhammad' Posters Row

Amid row over the ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign, the Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday suspended internet services in Bareilly district for 48 hours as a precautionary measure to prevent rumour-mongering

and communal unrest during Dussehra celebrations.

The suspension, covering mobile internet, broadband, and SMS, will remain in effect from 3 pm on October 2 till 3 pm on October 4, officials said.

Home Secretary Gaurav Dayal, in the order, warned that social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube could be misused to spread misinformation and incite tension.

“The step has been taken to maintain peace and public order,” the order stated.

Meanwhile, security has been ramped up across four districts of Bareilly division, with heavy deployment of police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel.

Drones have also been pressed into surveillance duty.

The move comes after violence on September 26, when nearly 2,000 people clashed with police outside a mosque in Bareilly’s Kotwali area following Friday prayers.

The unrest, which included stone-pelting, was linked to the cancellation of a protest over the “I Love Muhammad” poster row by cleric Tauqeer Khan.

So far, 62 individuals have been arrested in connection with the Bareilly unrest, including prominent figures Maulana Tauqeer Raza, Dr Nafees, and Nadeem Khan, who are believed to have played key roles in the violence.

Authorities have also seized assets worth around Rs 150 crore linked to Tauqeer Raza and his associates.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is reportedly closely monitoring the situation and has ordered strict action.

Police sources stated that during questioning, former IMC district president Nadeem Khan revealed that Maulana Tauqeer Raza had planned a large gathering at Islamia Ground after Friday prayers to assert his influence.