Bareilly Under Digital Blackout: Poster Row Unrest Shadows Friday Prayers

Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh is under a stringent security blanket as authorities prepare for Friday evening prayers, exactly one week after violent clashes erupted over the controversial 'I Love Muhammad' poster campaign. The city, still reeling from last week's unrest that saw over 2,000 protesters clash with police, has implemented sweeping measures including an internet suspension and drone surveillance to prevent any recurrence of the violence that injured officers and led to dozens of arrests.

Internet services across Bareilly and three neighboring districts—Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit, and Budaun—have been suspended until 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, as a precautionary step amid Dussehra celebrations. The blackout, which commenced at 3 p.m. on Thursday, encompasses mobile data, broadband, wireless connections, and SMS services, according to a notification from Home Secretary Gaurav Dayal. Officials cited the need to curb the spread of rumors and inflammatory content on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp, which they believe fueled the previous week's escalation.

Security forces have been ramped up significantly, with police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel patrolling streets, while drones monitor sensitive areas from above. The district has been segmented into four super zones and four special zones for coordinated deployment, as outlined by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anurag Arya. "All district magistrates, deputy collectors, police, and administrative officials must discharge their responsibilities seriously. Any lapse will invite stern action," warned Divisional Commissioner Bhupendra S. Chaudhary on Thursday. Religious leaders have been urged to conclude prayers promptly and disperse peacefully.

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High alerts have also been sounded in adjacent districts, with armed police stationed at vulnerable sites. "We are ensuring foolproof arrangements so that the disturbances witnessed in Bareilly do not spill over to neighboring districts," a senior official stated, emphasizing proactive measures to maintain communal harmony.

The unrest traces back to September 26, when cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, president of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, called for a demonstration in support of the 'I Love Muhammad' posters—a campaign sparked by objections to such displays during Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi processions in Kanpur earlier that month. Despite authorities denying permission under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), around 2,000 people gathered outside a mosque in Kotwali after Friday prayers. Raza's last-minute announcement canceling the event ignited fury, leading to stone-pelting, vehicle vandalism, and clashes that injured at least 10 police personnel. Police responded with lathi charges and tear gas, registering 10 FIRs and detaining over 50 individuals, including Raza and his associates, many of whom had prior criminal records.

In the aftermath, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned the violence as a "pre-planned conspiracy" to disrupt peace and the state's investment initiatives, vowing exemplary punishment. Additional arrests, including two "outsiders" after a gunfight on October 1, underscore ongoing efforts to identify instigators.

Ahead of today's prayers, Maulana Ahsan Raza Khan, the seniormost cleric at Ala Hazrat Dargah, issued a fervent appeal for tranquility, advising worshippers to return home immediately after namaz. The annual Julus-e-Gausia procession, traditionally marking the Urs of Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, has been canceled this year, replaced by a subdued program on Saturday at Sailani Raza Chowk.

As Bareilly's roads lie eerily deserted and tensions simmer, the incident highlights the fragility of communal relations amid provocative campaigns. With district officials conducting night patrols and engaging community leaders, the focus remains on de-escalation, though the specter of spillover unrest looms large in the region.

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