SP MP Ziaur Rahman Barq Put Under House Arrest Ahead of Visit to Violence-Hit Bareilly
Authorities block Samajwadi Party delegation from visiting victims of police crackdown following “I Love Muhammad” protests.
Uttar Pradesh (Fikrokhabar News): In a move that has sparked fresh controversy, Samajwadi Party (SP) Member of Parliament Ziaur Rahman Barq was placed under house arrest in Sambhal ahead of his planned visit to Bareilly, where violent clashes erupted last week over the “I Love Muhammad” campaign.
A large contingent of police was deployed outside the MP’s residence on the evening prior to the visit, effectively preventing him from leaving. The SP delegation, led by senior leader Mata Prasad and including 13 other party members, had intended to meet victims of the recent police crackdown in Bareilly.
However, authorities denied permission for the visit, citing the need to maintain law and order. According to Barq’s aide, the police action came without prior notice and has severely restricted the MP’s movement.
The violence in Bareilly began after posters with the message “I Love Muhammad” circulated in the city, sparking communal tensions and confrontations. In response, police launched a widespread crackdown, which rights groups say has disproportionately targeted members of the Muslim community.
Multiple reports allege that Muslim youths and even minors have been picked up from their homes without proper explanation or legal process. Families say they were not informed about the whereabouts of their detained relatives.
Adding to the outrage are claims that bulldozers were used to demolish homes and properties belonging to Muslims an increasingly common tactic in Uttar Pradesh that critics have labeled as a form of collective punishment.
While the state government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has vowed to take strict action against those involved in the violence, opposition parties and civil society groups have condemned the state’s response as excessive and discriminatory.
They argue that the government’s handling of the situation is deepening communal divisions and stifling dissent, especially by preventing political leaders from meeting affected communities.
Tensions remain high in Bareilly, with heavy police presence and uncertainty about the potential for further unrest.
