Maulana, who had threatened Hindus, put under house arrest

UP cops have taken action against the Muslim cleric from Bareilly district and his three associates for bid to take out a march without permission.

National president of Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, who had been earlier booked by Uttar Pradesh police for allegedly making objectionable remarks, was placed under house arrest after he made a call to his supporters to march to Delhi seeking a ban on Hindutva organisations.

The Muslim cleric from Bareilly district and his three associates were placed under house arrest on Tuesday night for three days after his call for march to Delhi, District Magistrate Shivakant
Dwivedi told news agency PTI. He said the cleric's detention could be extended if there's a need.

Bareilly City Magistrate Renu Singh said the Maulana had not taken permission to take out the march and only informed senior officials about his plans. Police said Raza Khan and his associates were detained based on the information provided by intelligence agencies with regard to law and order.

On Wednesday, the cleric had announced plans to start a 'Tiranga Yatra' from Bareilly to Delhi to hand over a memorandum to President Draupadi Murmu seeking a ban on Hindutva organisations.

Addressing a press conference in Moradabad last week, Raza Khan had said that the government which files a case of treason against those demanding Khalistan should also do the same with those who demand a 'Hindu Rashtra'.

Raza Khan also questioned what would happen if Muslim youths start demanding a separate Muslim State. He went on to add that another Partition of the country will not be allowed. ''What would happen if our youths started demanding a Muslim nation? Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas is a lie. Some fanatics are sowing the seeds of hatred in the country. Those who do this and their supporters are neither well wishers of society nor of the country, but are traitors,'' he said. He had alleged that hatred against Muslims was rising and mosques and madrassas needed to be protected.

Raza Khan also went on to make controversial comments against PM Modi and called him 'Dhritarashtra.' He further alleged that the BJP government encourages attacks on Muslims and supports those who are anti-Islam.

Moradabad police booked him for allegedly making provocative remarks on Sunday. Raza and his associates Nafees, Nadeem and Munir Idrishi (also his spokesperson) were placed under house arrest on Wednesday.

A large number of police personnel have been deployed around the Hazrat Dargah complex where Raza lives. Senior officials have been monitoring the situation around Raza's residence since this morning, the Bareilly City Magistrate said.

SP (City) Rahul Bhati said that the PAC and other forces in the Police Lines have also been put on alert. ''If there's any health-related issues with the detained persons, proper medical care will be provided to them under the supervision of qualified people,'' Bhati added.

This is not the first time when Maulana Tauqeer Raza raised eyebrows with his controversial comments. He had once said, "If the country is going to be ruled by the stick, then our sticks are not weak either." He had also sought a ban on Hindu groups such as VHP and Bajrang Dal.

The Maulana is associated with the Sunni Barelvi sect, which is a popular Islamic movement in South Asia. He is the founder of the Islamic educational institution, Jamia Raza-e-Mustafa, which is located in Bareilly.