Violence erupted in Bareilly following a religious procession, sparking a fierce political blame game between ruling BJP leaders and the opposition. The trigger appears to be a clash over religious posters and unauthorized processions, with allegations that slogans like “Sar Tan Se Juda” were raised and police were attacked with stones, even by minors. BJP spokespersons claim a conspiracy has been unfolding since September 5, involving a toolkit of political and religious elements trying to destabilize Uttar Pradesh. They accuse Islamic cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza of inciting Muslim youth and blame the opposition—especially Samajwadi Party and Congress—for indirectly supporting such narratives. In response, opposition leaders questioned the government’s intelligence failure and inability to prevent the unrest, highlighting recurring incidents of violence in UP under the BJP regime. They argued that holding a banner like “I Love Mohammad” is not a crime, but lawlessness is, regardless of religion. The debate exposed deeper concerns: radicalization of youth, political polarization, and systemic law enforcement lapses. While police action continues, the common man in Bareilly remains caught in the crossfire of political rhetoric and sectarian tension.
