Saharanpur MP Imran Masood and former Amroha MP Kunwar Danish Ali were placed under house arrest on Wednesday to prevent their visit to Bareilly, a city recently affected by violence. This action was taken by the Uttar Pradesh government as part of their efforts to manage the dissent surrounding the “I Love Muhammad” campaign, which faced police action following Friday prayers on September 26.
District authorities justified the house arrests as a precautionary measure, citing concerns that the MPs’ presence might escalate tensions and disrupt law and order. Kunwar Danish Ali reported to Maktoob that police surrounded his residence, effectively restricting his movement, which he deemed an undemocratic act. He accused the administration and the Uttar Pradesh government of “weaponising police power” to silence solidarity with the Muslim community in Bareilly.
“It has been suggested that Bareilly is being pushed toward violence under a conspiracy. I intended to visit today to stand with the people against this injustice, but the UP Police has confined me at home due to orders from the cowardly government,” Ali stated. He criticized Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saying, “The more you suppress voices against injustice, the louder they will become.”
Ali further remarked, “The situation in Bareilly has been deliberately worsened. Innocent youths are being arrested, and shops are being sealed. The government is resorting to a path of dictatorship, misusing police power to intimidate the populace and infringe upon their rights and livelihoods. This will not be tolerated.”
A delegation from the National Congress, including Congress leader and MP Imran Masood, was also en route to Bareilly. Masood reported that he had been placed under house arrest before his planned visit to assess the situation in the violence-affected area. He mentioned receiving numerous requests from residents to offer support during these difficult times.
“It was my responsibility to meet with the Bareilly Deputy Inspector General and understand the ground reality following last week’s violence,” Masood said. He criticized the police and administration for their failure to maintain peace, arguing that their actions suggested governance failure.
Masood added, “The BJP is attempting to cover up its failures by framing the situation as communal violence. Their known antagonism and communal attitudes are evident. This behavior stems from their fear of losing the 2027 elections.”
In the meantime, there remains heavy police presence in Bareilly and nearby areas, with internet services restored but under increased monitoring. The ongoing police crackdown has resulted in over 70 arrests, including that of cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, along with bulldozer actions targeting properties associated with his acquaintances.
Tags: I Love Muhammad, police crackdown, Imran Masood, Danish Ali, Bareilly visits
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