Stones pelted in Bareilly as Cleric detained over Gyanvapi Issue

Stones were reportedly thrown in the Shamat Ganj area of Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday, leaving one person injured. The District Magistrate mentioned that the police are investigating the incident and planning to file a First Information Report (FIR).

The incident occurred after Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, the chief of Ittehad-e-Millat Council, Bareilly Sharif, was apprehended by the police for his ‘jail bharo’ call related to the Gyanvapi matter.

India Today reported that Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan urged his followers to participate in a ‘jail bharo andolan’ (fill the prison) on Thursday, asking them to join him and get arrested.

After the call, a large gathering occurred in Bareilly, with the incident happening post the Friday prayers as India TV reported. The stone-pelting reportedly took place at Shyamganj market.

CM Yogi Adityanath‘s recent statement about Ayodhya, Kashi, and Mathura in the Assembly prompted Maulana Tauqeer Raza’s actions. The Supreme Court is handling issues regarding Mathura’s Krishna Janambhoomi land dispute and matters related to the Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi.

A Varanasi court announced February 15 as the hearing date for the Gyanvapi Masjid committee’s plea against the permission for ‘puja’ in the mosque’s cellar, where a priest can now perform prayers.