Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly district is once again at the center of attention, following an uproar last Friday. The crowd-induced unrest is linked to the controversial history of Maulana Tauqeer Raza, whose incendiary oration set Bareilly ablaze fifteen years ago, leading to a month-long curfew. The then BSP government detained Raza, only to release him two days later. The administration also replaced the SSP.
The riot errupted in Bareilly's market, particularly in the Kuharapeer area during the Barawafat procession. Targeting more than 30 identified shops, the unrest primarily affected Hindu merchants. Let's delve into the accounts of those residing in the riot-stricken neighborhoods 15 years ago.
On Tuesday, March 2, 2010, in Bareilly's Prem Nagar police station area, individuals gathered at the crossroad in Kuharapeer for the Barawafat procession. It was there that
delivered a provocative speech, sparking riots throughout the region.
Voices of the 2010 Riot Survivors
The rioters first targeted the police outpost, established to safeguard the market, despite additional policemen being posted from other districts for Barawafat duties. Chaos spiraled, leading the agitators to vandalize and incinerate property at the Prem Nagar police station in Kuharapeer, torching parked police vehicles.
Source: aajtak
The entire Prem Nagar vicinity was targeted post Raza's incendiary speech, with mobs wielding sticks, stones, petrol bombs, and swords, causing destruction. Merchant Pawan Arora recounts being called by a Muslim friend during the procession; advised to return home, he left, only to find the market engulfed in riots. For the first time, green flags were hoisted in the lanes but only on the shops of other communities, which identified Hindu shops for attack.
Leading garment merchants Preet Cloth House and Preet Sari Center owned by Bijendra Pal Singh, narrate how their outlets were singled out. Another major restaurant, Vyajan Restaurant, was targeted as well. Owner Mahendra Gupta registered an FIR, and Tauqeer Raza faced brief detention, but public pressure led to his release. The riots during the 2010 Barawafat procession incited a month-long curfew in Bareilly.
Source: aajtak
Unrest in Bareilly Amid BSP Rule
During the riots, the state was under BSP governance, led by SP M.K. Vishal, now Director General of Home Guards. Current key figure Ashish Goel was then Bareilly's District Magistrate. Following Raza's arrest in March 2010, crowds assembled in Islamia Maidan. Pressure led to SSP Bareilly M.K. Vishal's transfer, appointing Rajeev Sabharwal as the new SP. Under government directive, police executed action under Section 169 against Raza, facilitating his prison release.
Approximately over 50 FIRs were filed during these riots. The police identified Maulana Raza as the main conspirator, yet he was later acquitted. On March 10, 2024, the then Additional District Judge Ravi Diwakar overruled police action under Section 169, issuing a Non-Bailable Warrant against Raza. Challenging this in High Court, Raza was temporarily relieved from arrest. The matter remains unresolved in the Supreme Court, with the Uttar Pradesh government pursuing cases against Raza as the conspirator behind the 2010 riots.
