In a significant political development, Congress MP Imran Masood and Samajwadi Party MLA Shahnavaz Khan were stopped by police from traveling to Bareilly on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Both leaders had planned to visit the strife-hit city by an early morning train with the intention of meeting local police officers. However, they found themselves confined to their homes on Tuesday night, September 30.
Authorities deployed police teams to guard their residences, effectively preventing their departure. Despite the action, officials have yet to issue a formal statement explaining the reasons behind the detention.
Speaking to reporters from his home, Mr. Masood asserted that he and Mr. Khan adhere to Gandhian principles. He stated, “We were scheduled to depart at 6:50 AM for Bareilly to engage with the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and Additional Director General (ADG), with plans to return by 1:30 PM. However, the government is resorting to such tactics to conceal its own shortcomings.”
When questioned about whether their visit might have exacerbated the already tense situation in Bareilly, Mr. Masood responded emphatically. He argued, “It is the government and the police who have created this abnormal situation. Muslims are being singled out and targeted, with one set of laws applied to us and another to others.”
Bareilly witnessed violent clashes on September 26, when a large crowd exceeding 2,000 people gathered outside a mosque in the Kotwali area following Friday prayers, leading to stone-pelting. This unrest was reportedly sparked by the cancellation of a planned protest, initiated by Mr. Khan, concerning a controversial ‘I Love Muhammad’ poster. Previously, Uttar Pradesh police had also begun demolition actions against properties allegedly linked to an aide of a Bareilly cleric.
Mr. Masood further highlighted incidents in Fatehpur and Muzaffarnagar, alleging that attacks on religious sites and acts of looting in those areas had gone unchecked. In contrast, he claimed, peaceful protesters were being dealt with severely. “If such an environment continues to prevail across the country, then people must remain vigilant,” he warned.