Evidence accessed by India Today has uncovered fresh proof suggesting that the "I Love Mohammad" demonstrations in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly on September 26 were not spontaneous, but the result of a well-calculated plan. Documents and digital communication accessed by India Today point to a conspiracy that took shape just a day before the violence.While a piece of communication from chief accused Maulana Tauqeer Raza's party Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) called for peace, a subsequent message from a party cadre is believed to have led to the unrest.On September 25, a day before the violence, an appeal was released on the official letterhead of Tauqeer Raza's IMC, explicitly stating that the government had not granted permission for an event at Islamia Inter College and that Maulana Tauqeer Raza would submit the memorandum personally. The appeal aimed to direct the community's actions for the following day.
Notification by IMC issued on September 25.The letter further clarified that after offering prayers at the mosques, everyone should return home and that there would be no programme at the Islamia Inter College grounds.The appeal emphasised peace and harmony, and police initially interpreted this as an assurance that large gatherings or law and order disturbances were unlikely.However, Nadeem Khan—arrested in connection with the violence—distributed the same appeal letter on a WhatsApp group at 1:23 am the day before the violence broke out.He claimed the letterhead was fake, and the signatures forged, calling it an attempt to defame the IMC and sabotage the prayers.
Message shared by IMC member Mohammad Nadeem Khan on a WhatsApp group on the previous night of September 26.Officials state that the circulation of Nadeem's message and the questioning of the authenticity of the initial appeal played a critical role in mobilising crowds. Authorities believe the crowds and subsequent violence might have been avoided if this message had not been sent.Police had already received intelligence from the Local Intelligence Unit, State LIU, and the Intelligence Bureau about potential disturbances.They responded by deploying large police forces throughout Bareilly, dividing the city into sectors under senior officers to prevent escalation.Despite the official appeal for restraint, Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan released a video on September 21 urging followers to gather at Islamia Ground after Friday prayers, according to the FIR filed in the case. People came from Bareilly and neighbouring districts, contributing to the scale of unrest.Raza reportedly told supporters to disturb the city's atmosphere, even if it required violence, indicating a direct call to disrupt public order.The First Information Report (FIR) describes the incident as a "pre-planned conspiracy."Witnesses and police say slogans such as "Gustakh-e-Nabi Ki Ek Hi Saza, Sar Tan Se Juda" were shouted, and that the mob attacked security forces, used crude weapons, and hurled petrol bombs, resulting in injuries to police officers.Alongside Raza, other leaders of the IMC, including Nadeem, have been charged with orchestrating the unrest. Police registered eleven FIRs and named over 2,000 individuals, with over 80 people arrested in connection with the case so far.Police continue their investigation, examining the digital records of Raza and associates to establish the full extent of the conspiracy. The local administration has also begun sealing properties and detaining suspects linked to the violence.Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath commented on the incident, stating that authorities made it clear there would be neither a blockade nor a curfew. Officials have emphasised that the situation is under control.The Bareilly incident forms part of a wider pattern of unrest related to the "I Love Muhammad" campaign, which has seen protests across Uttar Pradesh and beyond, some peaceful and others marked by violence.
