Over 4,000 Muslims Booked, 265 Arrested Nationwide After Peaceful “I Love Muhammad” Rally: APCR Report
Rights group alleges targeted crackdown, illegal arrests, and property seizures in Bareilly and beyond.
A recent fact-finding report by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as a targeted crackdown on Muslims in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, and other parts of India. The report follows a peaceful demonstration led by Islamic scholar Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan under the banner of “I Love Muhammad.”
According to the APCR, the protest—which aimed to hand over a memorandum to local officials—was completely non-violent. There were no slogans, no damage to public property, and no clashes reported from the scene. Despite this, police allegedly used force to break up the gathering, including a sudden lathi charge and mass detentions.
As per the report, at least 89 people were arrested in Bareilly, and 265 arrests were made across different states by October 7. In total, 4,505 Muslims were booked nationwide in connection with the protest.
The APCR claims that many of the arrests were arbitrary. Families were not informed of their relatives’ whereabouts, First Information Reports (FIRs) were not shared, and in several cases, arrest memos were not issued. Disturbingly, there are also allegations that minors were among those detained.
In the days following the protest, the authorities deployed additional police and paramilitary forces in Muslim-majority neighborhoods. Internet services were suspended for 48 hours, which disrupted daily life and local businesses. Residents say the move created fear and uncertainty in the community.
The situation escalated further on September 29, when 32 shops in Mazaar Pehalwaan Market—a property registered under the Waqf Board—were sealed by officials. The action was reportedly carried out without any prior notice or legal documentation, despite a stay order from the Waqf Tribunal. Shopkeepers believe the move was a form of punishment for their participation or support for the protest. The sealing operation took place under heavy police presence.
The APCR report points to a clear difference in treatment between Muslim and Hindu-majority areas. While Muslim neighborhoods saw intense police action, others remained unaffected. The group has accused the authorities of practicing “collective punishment and institutional bias,” using legal tools to suppress religious expression and dissent.
The report includes several firsthand testimonies from affected families, lawyers, and community members, detailing human rights violations, lack of legal access, and procedural irregularities.
The APCR is now calling for:
- A judicial inquiry into the police action and property seizures.
- Immediate release of all those unlawfully detained.
- Accountability and disciplinary action against officers involved in the use of excessive force.
- Open dialogue between the government and the Muslim community to address grievances.
The organization has also urged civil society groups and human rights bodies to take a stand against the criminalization of peaceful religious expression and ensure justice is served.
The situation in Bareilly remains tense, with a continued police presence and growing demands for transparency and accountability.
