'I Love Muhammad' row escalates: Congress MP under house arrest
What's the story
Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders Danish Ali and Imran Masood have alleged they were put under "house arrest" while heading to Bareilly. The city is on high alert after recent violence over the "I Love Muhammad" controversy. Since the September 26 unrest, 81 people have been arrested and more police forces have been called in till October 4.
Arrest allegations
Democracy is being made a mockery of: Imran Masood
Saharanpur MP Imran Masood also claimed he was put under house arrest while heading to Bareilly with Shahnawaz Khan. He alleged that police administration didn't allow him to leave his house, claiming it was done under a political agenda. "Democracy is being made a mockery of," he said, adding that innocent people were being harassed and shops were being sealed in Bareilly.
Conspiracy claims
Ali accuses UP government of conspiracy against him
In a post on X, Ali accused the Uttar Pradesh government of conspiring against him. "Bareilly has been pushed towards violence as part of a conspiracy. I wanted to go to Bareilly today and stand with the people against this injustice, but UP Police has imprisoned me at home on the orders of the cowardly government," he tweeted. He also posted a video showing security personnel outside his residence in Amroha.
Security measures
Police intensify security measures in Bareilly
The controversy erupted on September 4 during a Barawafat parade in Rawatpur village, Kanpur. A light board reading "I Love Muhammad" was erected along the procession route for the festival. Local Hindu groups, however, objected, stating a "new tradition" was being introduced in a space that was previously used for Hindu festivals like Ram Navami. The protest intensified on September 26, when over 2,000 people gathered outside a mosque in Bareilly's Kotwali district after Friday prayers, resulting in stone throwing.