Overview: The Bareilly Rally and Aftermath
On Friday, September 26, Bareilly witnessed a march in support of the I Love Muhammad campaign. Police reported clashes between officers and demonstrators, resulting in more than 50 arrests. Among those detained was Maulana Taquir Raza Khan, a prominent figure linked to the influential Barelvi milieu and the head of the Ittihad-e-Millat Council (AIMC). Police describe him as a “mastermind” behind the confrontations, while Khan maintains he was under house arrest at the time.
As the protests spiraled, authorities said attempts were made to gather at Islamia Maidan, and barricades were breached, leading to a police response. The incident has reignited debate about religious leadership, political mobilization, and the responsibilities of public figures in volatile moments.
Taquir Raza Khan: A Brief Profile
Religious Lineage and Family Ties
Taquir Raza Khan belongs to a storied Sunni-Sufi family in Bareilly. He is described as a sixth-generation descendant of Ahmed Raza Khan, a central reformist Islamic scholar who helped shape the Barelvi movement. The family’s influence centers on the revered dargah of Hazrat Ahmed Raza Khan in Bareilly, a site that draws millions of devotees and anchors traditional religious authority in the region. One of Taquir’s senior relatives, Maulana Shubh’an Raza Khan, also plays a key custodial role at the dargah.
This lineage links Taquir Raza Khan to a broader transnational network of Barelvi scholars and followers who emphasize devotion to the Prophet Muhammad and the celebration of traditional Islamic practices during events like Milad and Mawlid.
Organizational and Political Footprint
In 2001, Taquir Raza Khan helped found the Ittihad-e-Millat Council (IEMC), a regional political-religious platform that has contested elections and acted as a voice for the Bareli Muslim community. Although he has steered clear of long-term association with any major national party, his affiliations have included supportive gestures toward the Congress in 2007 and later ties with the Samajwadi Party at different times. During Akhilesh Yadav’s tenure as Uttar Pradesh chief minister, he was named chairman of the UP Handloom Corporation, a post he resigned from in 2014 amid criticism over the handling of communal tensions in Muzaffarnagar.
Past Legal Encounters
The family’s public profile is not new to controversy. A 1982 case for rioting and, more recently, multiple mentions in 2010 as part of cases tied to religious violence, have shadowed Taquir Raza Khan’s public image. In 2010, during a Moharram-related procession in Bareilly, police actions led to arrests; later investigations closed some cases. In the 2020s, Khan’s supporters and detractors point to his outspoken stance on Muslim rights and community protection as a catalyst for both mobilization and backlash.
Contemporary Influence
For many in Bareilly and adjoining districts, Taquir Raza Khan remains a symbol of the Barelvi establishment—an embodiment of religious tradition intertwined with regional politics. Some local Muslim leaders contend that, while he may not command nationwide political power, his voice resonates deeply among followers linked to the dargah network. Others caution that his influence is concentrated geographically and emotionally, rather than being a broad-based political mandate.
Context: The I Love Muhammad Campaign and the Barelvi Context
The I Love Muhammad campaign—launched in response to contested expressions of love for the Prophet—has involved banners and public demonstrations in several Indian cities. In Bareilly, the call to mobilize drew on the long-standing Barelvi emphasis on reverence for the Prophet and public commemoration of his life. Critics argue such mobilization can inflame communal sentiment, while supporters view it as a peaceful assertion of faith and identity.
Public Perception: Voices from the Community
Local voices reflect a range of views. An observer named Anwar Ahmed says Taquir Raza Khan’s position is rooted in his family’s link to Hazrat Ahmed Raza Khan’s dargah, which makes his words impactful for many Muslims locally. Another figure, Anwar Ali, notes that while some Muslims may account for a political distance from Khan, he remains emotionally connected to the Bareilly religious landscape, and when he speaks, his audience tends to listen.
What It Means Going Forward
The Bareilly incident underscores how religious leadership and regional political movements can converge in moments of crisis. As the legal process unfolds—FIRs have been filed and suspects, including Khan, have been remanded for 14 days—the broader questions remain: How will religious authority navigate the fine line between mobilization and public safety? What role will families with deep dargah ties play in shaping community responses to contentious issues? And how will Indian authorities balance freedom of expression with maintaining social harmony in diverse urban centers?
Note on the Next Steps
As investigations continue, observers will watch whether Taquir Raza Khan and AIMC-associated leaders will recalibrate their public messaging or pursue mediation to ease tensions. The outcome may also influence how similar campaigns are managed in the future and how religious leadership intersects with regional politics in India.
