In the latest escalation of the ‘I Love Muhammad’ controversy, senior Congress leaders Imran Masood, Danish Ali, and other party officials were placed under house arrest on Wednesday ahead of their planned visit to violence-hit Bareilly.
Former MP Danish Ali was detained at his residence in Amroha, while Imran Masood, who intended to lead a Congress delegation to meet Bareilly DIG Prashant Kumar and assess the on-ground situation, was stopped from leaving Saharanpur due to security concerns and the prevailing law and order situation.
The delegation-level visit comes after violent protests erupted in Bareilly last Friday, following Friday prayers. Over 1,000 people gathered near Islamia Ground, waving religious banners and chanting slogans after a call by cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan. The protests were further triggered by an FIR in Kanpur over a Barawafat poster bearing the message “I Love Muhammad.”
Police reported that the situation escalated as some protesters began pelting stones, vandalising vehicles, and firing in the air. In response, the local police, led by Bareilly SSP Vinod Kumar, used lathi charges and tear gas, leading to a stampede-like scenario. At least 10 police personnel were injured during the violence.
