Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh: Twelve Muslim men were detained in Bareilly district after they were reportedly found offering namaz, or Islamic congregational prayers, in an empty house, authorities said on Sunday. The incident has sparked widespread debate after a video showing the prayer gathering surfaced on social media, raising questions over freedom of religious practice and the legality of conducting religious activities in private spaces.

The police described the detention as a “precautionary action” following complaints from residents of Mohammadganj village. According to officials, villagers reported that a vacant house was being used as a “temporary madrasa” for several weeks, where Friday prayers were conducted regularly without proper permission.

“The police acted after receiving information that a vacant property was being used for religious purposes without any formal authorization,” said SP (South) Anshika Verma. “Conducting any new religious activity or gathering without permission is a violation of the law. Strict action will be taken if such activities are repeated. We appeal to the residents to maintain peace and law and order.”

Details of the Detention

Police officials stated that the 12 detained men were issued challans under sections related to breach of peace and public safety. They were subsequently produced before a magistrate, who granted them bail. Authorities are still attempting to trace three other individuals who are reportedly absconding.

A preliminary inquiry revealed that the vacant house where the prayers were held belonged to a local resident named Hanif. The men reportedly used the house temporarily to conduct Friday namaz, but were unable to provide any written permission or valid documentation when questioned by police. Villagers who objected to the regular gatherings alerted the authorities, prompting the police to intervene and stop the prayers.

The police maintained that their intervention was not aimed at targeting any religious group but was a measure to enforce local regulations regarding gatherings and the use of private property.

Video Sparks Social Media Row

The situation escalated after a video purportedly showing the 12 men offering prayers inside the vacant house began circulating on social media. The clip quickly attracted attention, with users debating the legality and morality of the police action. Critics argued that praying in a private property should not warrant detention, while supporters of the police action cited local regulations and the need for maintaining law and order.

The social media debate highlighted the broader issue of religious freedom in India and the challenges faced by authorities in balancing individual rights with community concerns and legal compliance. Several users expressed outrage over what they described as “harassment of citizens for practicing their religion in private spaces,” while others emphasized the importance of following local rules and obtaining proper permissions for gatherings, even if conducted within private property.

Political Reactions

The incident quickly drew political attention. Congress leader Dr Shama Mohamed criticized the police for what she described as “targeting citizens for praying inside their own homes.” She tweeted, “Uttar Pradesh Police in Bareilly have arrested 12 Muslim people for offering namaz inside their own homes after a video surfaced. On what grounds were they arrested, @bareillypolice? Which law did they violate? Have all criminals in the state been neutralised that the UP Police is now busy terrorising its own citizens for praying inside their homes?”

Opposition leaders and civil rights advocates questioned the proportionality of the police response and called for a review of the legal grounds for detaining individuals for private religious activities. Many expressed concerns that such actions could deepen communal tensions in already sensitive areas.

Legal Context

Authorities have cited local regulations governing public gatherings and the use of property for organized activities as the basis for their action. While the right to practice religion is enshrined in Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, this freedom is subject to reasonable restrictions in the interests of public order, morality, and health.

SP Anshika Verma noted that the legal provisions invoked in this case were primarily aimed at preventing public disturbances and ensuring that any organized activity, even in private spaces, complies with local regulations. “We are not restricting religious practices per se,” she said, “but any gathering that may affect public peace or is conducted without consent or notification to authorities falls under the purview of these regulations.”

The challenge for authorities is to balance constitutional guarantees with local administrative rules. Experts note that while small-scale religious gatherings within private homes are generally permitted, activities that are perceived as continuous public events or that draw large groups may require formal approvals.

Local Sentiments and Community Reaction

In Mohammadganj village, reactions among residents have been mixed. Some villagers expressed discomfort with repeated gatherings at the vacant house, citing concerns over noise and disruption. Others questioned the police response, suggesting that it may have been excessive for a small-scale religious observance.

Community leaders emphasized the need for dialogue and coordination. “It is important for residents to communicate and for religious groups to seek appropriate permissions where required,” said a local elder. “At the same time, law enforcement should ensure that their actions do not unnecessarily alienate communities or infringe on basic religious freedoms.”

Way Forward

Following the bail of the 12 detained men, authorities have reiterated that any future gatherings without proper authorization may be subject to stricter enforcement. At the same time, officials have expressed a willingness to engage with local community members to clarify legal requirements and encourage compliance.

The incident underscores the ongoing challenges in managing religious activities within mixed-use communities and highlights the sensitive interplay between law enforcement, local regulations, and constitutional rights. As social media amplifies local disputes, authorities and communities alike face pressure to navigate these situations carefully to maintain both law and order and social harmony.

Conclusion

The detention of 12 Muslim men in Bareilly for offering namaz in an empty house has sparked a significant debate on religious freedom, legal compliance, and community relations in Uttar Pradesh. While police maintain that their actions were precautionary and aimed at enforcing local regulations, critics argue that the response was disproportionate and infringed upon individuals’ constitutional rights to practice their religion.

The case illustrates the broader challenges faced by authorities in balancing the right to religious expression with the need to maintain public peace, especially in areas where private and communal spaces intersect. As the investigation continues and social media debate intensifies, both local officials and civil society actors are under scrutiny to ensure that law enforcement actions are fair, proportionate, and sensitive to community dynamics.

The Bareilly incident also raises questions about legal clarity and administrative procedures for conducting religious gatherings in private properties, highlighting the need for clear communication between residents, religious practitioners, and authorities to prevent similar conflicts in the future.