Bareilly authorities detained Tauqeer Raza Khan, leader of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, on Saturday after his call for a protest in support of the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign sparked violent clashes between demonstrators and police following Friday prayers, officials said.

"Tauqeer Raza has been taken into custody, and further legal proceedings are underway. The situation is peaceful and under control," Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya told the media.

The unrest followed Friday prayers when a group carrying 'I Love Muhammad' posters clashed with police outside a mosque in the Kotwali area. The protest had been called off at the last minute, with Raza claiming that authorities refused permission, but tensions still boiled over. Stone-pelting and vandalism were reported, leading to the detention of more than two dozen people.

In a video released later, Raza challenged the police account of the events, saying he was placed under house arrest and prevented from addressing his supporters. He praised the injured protesters in the clip, calling them "worthy of congratulations."

He also expressed regret at being unable to submit a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu through District Magistrate Avinash Singh, citing what he described as "continuous attacks on Muslims" and urging legal action.

Describing the obstruction of his efforts, Raza said, "I appeal to everyone to peacefully go to their homes. As has happened every time, I was placed under house arrest."

He added that false information had been circulated in his name. "A fake letterhead carrying my name was used, and a false statement was published," he said.

Raza alleged that the DM and SSP reached his residence as he was about to leave for the Friday prayers, deployed additional personnel, and put him under house arrest.

He warned that attempts to suppress religious sentiments would backfire. "The more police try to suppress this issue, the more it will come to the fore. If attempts are made to stop religious matters, no one will remain silent. Had I gone for the Friday prayers, nothing like this would have happened. Lathis were deliberately used on Muslims, against whom false accusations have been levelled," he said.

"I am currently under house arrest. I would be happy if I were arrested. Just like (gangster) Atiq Ahmad was shot, shoot me as well. The government is responsible for 140 crore people. Intolerance towards one group is unacceptable."

"This time, there was no Hindu Muslim conflict, the police committed atrocities against Muslims," he added.

His statements followed comments by DM Avinash Singh and DIG Ajay Kumar Sahni, who said the violence appeared to be a planned attempt to disturb peace despite the enforcement of Section 163 of BNSS, which restricts unauthorised assemblies.

"A few days ago, an organisation proposed holding a march on Friday and submitting a memorandum in support of a protest. We informed them that written permission would be needed for any such programme, as Section 163 of the BNSS (power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) is in effect throughout the district," DM Singh said on Friday.

He noted that despite this, some people went out on the streets after prayers and attempted to disturb public order.

The controversy dates back to September 9, when Kanpur police registered an FIR against 24 individuals for allegedly displaying 'I Love Muhammad' boards during an Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession on September 4.

The move was opposed by certain Hindu groups, who described it as "a deviation from tradition" and a "deliberate provocation."

The matter quickly spread beyond Kanpur, triggering protests and police action in several districts of Uttar Pradesh, as well as in states like Uttarakhand and Karnataka.

The issue also drew national attention, with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi asserting that expressing "I Love Muhammad" could not be treated as a crime.