Violent clashes erupted between police and protestors carrying 'I Love Muhammad' banners on Friday in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly and Mau as police personnel resorted to baton-charging the protesters to restore law and order in the areas.
As per the officials, over two dozen people were arrested as police launched a lathicharge to counter reported stone pelting by protestors after Friday prayers, according to a report by News18.
This was the latest stand-off in a row that began weeks ago over an 'I Love Muhammad' poster.
A huge crowd gathered near Bareilly's Islamia ground after Friday prayers in response to a call by Maulana Tauqeer Raza, local cleric and chief of Ittehad-e-Millat Council, to hold a demonstration in support of the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign. Similar such demonstrations have been held across the country after an FIR was lodged in Kanpur against 9 named and 15 unnamed persons after a tent with an 'I Love Muhammad' poster was removed by the police on September 4, according to a report by NDTV.
Soon after the Friday prayers, the crowd gathered amid heavy police presence. The crowd continued to swell as some allegedly raised objectionable slogans. After some protesters allegedly pelted stones at the police, the police launched a lathicharge to control the situation.
The crowd reportedly gathered to submit a memorandum to the government, with people expressing their anger over the last-minute suspension of the protest due to the denial of permission by the local authorities, News18 reported.
Videos on social media showed people being dragged away as the demonstrations turned violent.
This is the latest in a wave of demonstrations in cities like Lucknow, Bareilly, Kaushambi, Unnao, Kashipur, and Hyderabad since the ‘I Love Muhammad’ row began earlier this year. The Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and paramilitary forces were also deployed in the area.
After the Bareilly incident, more violence was reported in the town of Mau, where a big crowd carried out a march, carrying ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters. The incident occurred in the market area of Mohamadabad Gohana police circle, where cops had to lathi-charge protesters to restore order.
Meanwhile, Varanasi police conducted flag marches on Friday evening and appealed to locals and tourists to maintain peace and not believe in any rumours.
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