Police in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, detained Nadeem, a close aide of cleric and Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Tauqeer Raza Khan, on Monday for his alleged role in orchestrating recent violent protests linked to the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign. The unrest, which erupted after Friday prayers in the Kotwali area, saw a mob of approximately 1,600 people clash with police, prompting authorities to label the incident as premeditated rather than spontaneous.

Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya confirmed Nadeem’s detention, revealing that the investigation uncovered a calculated effort to incite violence. According to officials, Nadeem used WhatsApp to contact 55 individuals, who then mobilized a large crowd, including minors strategically placed at the forefront of the demonstration. “The agitation was planned to mirror anti-CAA and NRC protests, with deliberate intent to provoke unrest,” an official stated. Nadeem and his associates were reportedly active at key locations, such as the Khalil School intersection and Shyamganj area, where they incited the crowd.

Further investigation revealed that Nadeem misled police about the protest’s nature. On Thursday night, he visited the local police station with associates Nafees and Liaqat, assuring officers that no demonstration would occur and that IMC supporters would pray peacefully in mosques at 5 a.m. However, a letter he submitted to authorities was later found to be forged, undermining his claims and enabling the protest to proceed unchecked.

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The violence broke out when a crowd carrying 'I Love Muhammad' posters, angered by the cancellation of a planned demonstration, clashed with police outside a mosque. Tauqeer Raza Khan, who had called for the protest but claimed authorities denied permission, was arrested on Saturday along with seven co-accused. To date, 39 individuals have been detained, with 10 FIRs filed against 180 named and 2,500 unidentified rioters. Charges include inciting violence, rioting, stone-pelting, and hurting religious sentiments under relevant legal provisions.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has vowed strict action against those disrupting law and order, with heightened security measures, including heavy police and paramilitary deployment, implemented across Bareilly and neighboring districts. Sensitive areas remain under tight surveillance, and mobile internet services were disrupted on Monday, according to local reports. The incident has raised concerns about communal tensions, with authorities on high alert to prevent further escalation.

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