The recent outbreak of violence in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, has shaken the city and raised alarming questions about communal conspiracies in the state. Police investigations have now made it clear that this unrest was not a sudden reaction to the “I Love Muhammad” controversy.

Instead, it was part of a well-coordinated and carefully executed plan, designed with the intention of plunging Bareilly into chaos. According to the probe, the slogan controversy was nothing more than a pretext to ignite pre-arranged violence.

Authorities estimate that nearly 5,000 rioters were already on standby to unleash destruction. These individuals were not scattered randomly but strategically stationed in 390 mosques across the city, turning places of worship into bases for violence. From these locations, they had stockpiled bricks, stones, and petrol bombs, ready to target both police forces and ordinary citizens.

The coordinated nature of the attacks was visible when violence broke out in multiple areas simultaneously. While the scale of destruction could have been catastrophic, the quick response and vigilance of the police prevented the situation from spiraling out of control. Even so, Bareilly witnessed scenes of chaos with stone pelting, arson attempts, and attacks on journalists.

A Conspiracy Across State Borders

Further inquiries have revealed that the plot was not limited to Bareilly locals. According to officials, outsiders from Bihar and West Bengal were brought in specifically to execute the plan. These men were given defined roles and duties, and positioned in different parts of the city to ensure that the violence could spread rapidly.

On the day of the violence, the crowd used the guise of Friday prayers to assemble in large numbers. What began as religious gathering soon transformed into a violent mob. Stones were hurled, petrol bombs were lobbed, and police personnel became prime targets.

Journalists reporting on the situation also found themselves attacked—a media reporter’s motorcycle was set on fire, highlighting that the conspiracy had no regard for law, order, or freedom of press. According to police officers, the violence was a deliberate attempt to undermine the state government and portray it as incapable of maintaining control.

Tauqeer Raza: The Mastermind Behind the Plot

The probe points to one central figure: Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, president of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC). Known for his political and religious influence in Bareilly, police allege that Raza was the chief conspirator who sought to replicate the 2010 Bareilly riots, which were also linked to his provocative remarks.

Police have arrested Raza along with 10 of his party leaders, including Nadeem and Shamshad. In total, 81 people associated with the violence have been arrested so far, and 10 separate cases have been registered. Of these, Raza’s name appears in 7 different cases, signaling his deep involvement in orchestrating the chaos.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bareilly, Anurag Arya, confirmed:

“Dr. Nafees and his son have been arrested, and it has been revealed from them that everyone involved in this conspiracy was involved and that they deliberately created confusion by calling the appeal fake so that a crowd could gather. A total of 81 people have been arrested.”

This statement underscores that the appeal to gather was deliberately made confusing to draw a larger crowd, ensuring maximum participation in the riots.

Administration Response and Deployment of Forces

To restore peace, senior police officers immediately took control. DIG Bareilly, AK Sahni, emphasized that the situation was under control and that no chances were being taken.

“The situation is completely normal. Police are conducting a route march and foot patrolling. We are talking to all stakeholders. In view of festivals, 10 companies of PAC, Paramilitary force, along with CRPF and District force, are deployed here. We appeal to the public to celebrate festivals in a peaceful manner. The miscreants are being identified.”

This large-scale deployment highlights the seriousness of the situation. The administration feared that if not contained, the violence could have spread across districts and escalated into a statewide crisis.

The Bareilly Development Authority Vice Chairman, Manikandan A., spoke firmly about administrative action:

“The police and district administration have taken strict action in the law and order violation that took place after last Friday's prayers... The main accused who were behind this conspiracy—their properties have been sealed... A two-story shop has been sealed. Further investigation is ongoing... Strict action will be taken against anyone who violates the law and order and peace... Wherever there are orders for demolitions, we will do that too.”

His remarks make it clear that the crackdown will not stop at arrests. Properties linked to conspirators are being seized, shops and establishments are being sealed, and demolition orders are already in motion. The administration’s approach signals a zero-tolerance policy against those who use religion and violence to destabilize peace.

2010 Riots: When an Inciting Statement Set the City on Fire and Maulana Tauqeer Was Arrested

The history of Bareilly is no stranger to communal unrest, and one of the most haunting reminders is the 2nd March 2010 riots. What began with a single provocative statement from Maulana Tauqeer Raza spiraled into days of unchecked violence. His words acted as a spark that lit the city like dry hay in summer.

The mob first turned its anger toward Guddarbagh, where the initial clashes broke out. From there, the violence spread with shocking speed to the heart of the city. Koharapeer, Bada Bazaar, and several residential neighborhoods became the next battlegrounds. Entire markets were set ablaze, homes were attacked, and businesses were reduced to smoldering ruins.

The scale of destruction was so massive that authorities struggled to even calculate how many vehicles and houses were gutted in the flames. Ordinary residents who had no role in the conflict were assaulted in their own homes. Innocent families, trapped in the chaos, lived through days of terror.

Police investigations pointed directly at Maulana Tauqeer Raza as the primary instigator. Despite his arrest, his political influence at the time proved strong enough to bend the law. The then BSP government dropped charges under Section 169 of the CrPC, and within just two days he walked out on bail.

Even after release, instead of calming tensions, the cleric continued making provocative speeches. Each statement added fresh fuel to the fire, provoking more clashes and dragging Bareilly deeper into unrest.

One of the darkest outcomes of the 2010 riots was the disruption of the 150-year-old Ram Barat procession, a grand cultural and religious tradition associated with Holi in Bareilly. For generations, this event had been a symbol of unity and celebration. But that year, communal violence forced the tradition to halt—an interruption that struck at the city’s cultural soul.

The unrest dragged on for several days, and Bareilly’s path back to normalcy was long and painful. The episode left a scar on the city’s memory, one that continues to resurface whenever communal tensions arise again.

Action on Illegal Property

In the wake of the recent ‘I Love Muhammad’ conspiracy, the administration has taken an aggressive stance against those found to be supporting or benefitting from the violence. Officials identified properties worth around ₹150 crore linked to Tauqeer Raza’s relatives and supporters, and the crackdown began swiftly.

The first target was Hotel Skylark, owned by Farhat, a close relative of Raza. It was sealed as part of the law-and-order measures. Soon after, the lawn and hotel belonging to another relative, Arif, also faced the same action. On 30th September, authorities sealed Haji Sharafat Khan’s Humsafar Marriage Lawn, another property linked to the conspiracy.

The most dramatic step came when a bulldozer rolled onto the property of yet another Raza relative, demolishing illegal structures tied to the network. Even the assets of a Samajwadi Party leader associated with the unrest were not spared from scrutiny.

The crackdown is part of a larger investigation aimed at dismantling the infrastructure that allegedly supported the riots. Police believe that the violence was not just the work of scattered mobs but the product of a well-funded and organized network. With property seizures, demolitions, and arrests continuing, authorities warn that more revelations and arrests are expected in the coming days.

This tough response sends a clear signal: those who fuel unrest will face both legal and financial consequences. By targeting the very properties that fund and shelter conspiracies, the administration aims not only to punish the guilty but also to ensure that Bareilly does not relive the horrors of 2010.