New Delhi, Oct 4 (NationPress) Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq on Saturday raised concerns about the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to block a party delegation from traveling to Bareilly during the ongoing uproar regarding the 'I Love Muhammad' slogan. Barq, a member of the delegation, condemned the police's actions as undemocratic and unjustifiable.

“If the police and the government in Bareilly claim that everything is normal and there are no issues, then what justification is there for stopping us from visiting? We vehemently oppose this and wish to meet the affected families to compile a precise report that could aid them in seeking justice,” Barq stated.

The SP delegation, which included MPs Iqra Hasan, Mohibbullah Nadvi, and Barq, commenced their journey from the residence of senior party figure and Rajya Sabha MP Harendra Singh Malik earlier in the day. They were following the directives of the Leader of the Opposition, Mata Prasad Pandey, to connect with victims reportedly subjected to police harassment in Bareilly.

However, they were met with a significant police presence that obstructed their progress.

In response to the situation, SP MP Awadhesh Prasad remarked: “Regrettably, under the influence of the BJP government, our delegation was halted. The government's actions are unprecedented, preventing us from voicing legitimate concerns. Our objective is to speak honestly, distinguish right from wrong, and call for justice—not to incite any disturbance. Stopping us is a breach of democratic principles. In a democracy, the Opposition holds as much right as the ruling party, yet the BJP government seeks to silence this democratic voice.”

Earlier, SP MLA Ataur Rehman expressed similar views, emphasizing that their mission was to evaluate the actual circumstances and offer assistance to those unjustly targeted.

The controversy arises from recent events in Bareilly where numerous youths were allegedly detained or interrogated for expressing support for the Prophet Muhammad. While the administration asserts that the situation is stable, Opposition leaders have accused the state government of communal profiling and suppressing dissent.