At a call for “Jail Bharo,” supporters of an Islamic cleric in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, get violent

On Friday, there were a few violent events in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, when hundreds of followers of Islamic preacher Tauqeer Raza Khan took to the streets to protest his demand for “jail bharo” and what he described as “anti-Muslim policies of the government.”

According to authorities, the demonstrators’ stone-throwing at the crowded Shyamatganj market in the vicinity of the Baradari police station resulted in at least two injuries.

The demonstrators in the Shehdana region set upon a motorcyclist and caused damage to a couple two-wheelers that were pulled over by the side of the road.

According to authorities, police used little force to disperse the protestors in both locations.

According to authorities, thousands of Khan’s followers gathered close to the Biharipur Islamia College campus beneath the Kotwali police station and chanted slogans.

The Muslim community is seen as an adversary by the government. Following Friday prayers, Raza told reporters outside his home, “We are against the government’s anti-Muslim policies.”

When he attempted to join the demonstrators in the streets, the local government stopped him.

Rakesh Kumar Singh, the inspector general of police for the Bareilly Range, said to reporters that Maulana Tauqeer Raza had threatened to court arrest anybody who disagreed with the government’s policy. He was stopped and instructed to go home in a calm manner. Everything is under control and in a calm state. There is a sufficient number of police officers stationed nearby.

Police sources claim that Khan asked the district administration for permission to make his “jail bharo” call on Thursday, but his request was denied due to the peace and order situation.

Additionally, the Islamia College property, where Khan had invited his followers to assemble, was cordoned off by the district authorities.

According to district magistrate Ravindra Kumar, stones were thrown at the Shyamatganj market by certain individuals. Officials said that two persons were hurt in the event, but the administration has not yet identified them.

According to the authorities, two First Information Reports have been filed about the issue, and the perpetrators will be found.

The leader of the political group Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) is Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, a Barelvi cleric.

He is a direct descendent of the Sunni Muslim founder of the Barelvi sect, Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi.