In a small village called Mohammadganj in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh, something happened on January 16, 2026, that has got people talking all over the country. Police picked up 12 men because they were offering namaz together in a house. The house belongs to a man named Tariq Khan, and he had told the authorities earlier that he would use it only as a home, not for any religious things. But some neighbours complained, and a video of the prayers went viral on social media. The police say they did this to stop any fights between communities in the area, which has seen troubles before. But some leaders and people are saying this is wrong and goes against the right to pray freely, as given in our Constitution. Let’s look at what happened, why, and what people are saying about it.

This story shows how tricky it can be to balance keeping peace and letting people follow their faith. In India, where many religions live together, such cases come up now and then. We checked this with news from trusted places like The Hindu, Outlook India, and others to make sure the facts are right.

What Happened in Mohammadganj Village

Mohammadganj is a quiet village in Bareilly, about 250 km from Lucknow. Most people there are farmers or do small jobs. The village has people from different communities living side by side, but sometimes there are small arguments over things like land or religious places.

On Friday, January 16, the 12 men gathered in Tariq Khan’s house for Friday namaz. This is a special prayer Muslims do every week. The house was empty at the time, and some say it was being used like a temporary place for learning or prayers. But Tariq Khan had given a written promise to the local officials that he would not use the house for anything religious. He said it was just for living.

Someone made a video of the men praying and put it online. It spread fast on apps like WhatsApp and X (what we used to call Twitter). Neighbours from other communities saw it and got upset. They thought this was starting a new religious spot without asking anyone. They went to the police and complained that it could cause trouble in the village.

The police from Bisharatganj station came quickly. They stopped the prayers and took the 12 men to the station. Three other men ran away, and the police are still looking for them. The leader of the prayer was an imam named Naushad from a nearby village called Bhindora.

According to the police, the men did not have any paper or permission to hold group prayers there. So, they charged them under laws about breaking peace, like Section 151 of the CrPC, which lets police stop things that might lead to fights. The men were taken to court the next day, and a judge let them go on bail. But the case is still going on.

Tariq Khan’s house has been in the news before. Last year, there was a fight over whether he was building a madrasa (a school for Islamic learning) there. Officials checked and made him promise in writing that it was only a house. But some locals say prayers were happening there for weeks.

One local, who did not want his name out, told reporters, “We live in peace here, but if new things start without talking to everyone, it can make problems.” This shows how small things can grow big in mixed villages.

The Police Side of the Story

The police say they did not want to hurt anyone’s feelings. They just wanted to keep things calm. SP (Rural) Anshika Verma, who looks after that area, spoke to the media. She said, “We got news that a vacant house was being used for religious meetings without permission. Some villagers were unhappy. To avoid any big issue, we took steps.”

She added, “Starting any new religious activity or big gathering without telling the authorities is against the rules. We will act strictly if it happens again. Please help us keep peace.” The police also said they are checking the video as part of their probe.

Acting SHO Anees Ahmed said, “Our goal is to protect harmony between communities. There was a chance of trouble, so we acted fast.” They kept some officers in the village after that to make sure no fights happen.

Uttar Pradesh has rules to stop new religious places from coming up in ways that might cause arguments. This is to avoid big problems like what happened in other places. The government says everyone must follow these to live together happily.

Reactions from People and Leaders

Not everyone agrees with the police. Many people on social media are angry. They say why can’t people pray in their own homes? One post on X said, “Praying namaz is a crime now? What about Hindu pujas at home?” It got thousands of likes and shares.

Chandra Shekhar Aazad, the leader of Azad Samaj Party and MP from Nagina, called it an attack on basic rights. He said, “The Constitution gives us freedom to worship. If Hindus can do rituals at home, why not Muslims? This is unfair and must stop.” Aazad has spoken about such things before, like in other UP cases. He compared it to private Hindu events that don’t face police.

Other activists agree. A group called Association for Protection of Civil Rights did a check in Bareilly last year and found police sometimes act too hard on minorities. One activist said, “This is not about peace; it’s about targeting one group.”

But some locals support the police. A villager said, “We don’t want new madrasas or temples without permission. It keeps things fair.”

Politicians from different parties have mixed views. BJP leaders say the law is the same for all. Opposition like Samajwadi Party calls it vote politics. Akhilesh Yadav, SP chief, tweeted, “UP government is making faith a crime for some. Stop this bias.”

Human rights groups are watching. They say India must protect religious freedom as per Article 25 of the Constitution. But they also say big gatherings need care in sensitive areas.

What the Law Says

Our Constitution says everyone can practice their religion freely. But there are limits if it affects public order or health. In UP, there are rules under the Places of Worship Act and local laws to stop new religious spots from causing fights.

Lawyers say praying at home is okay, but if it’s a big group and neighbours complain, police can step in to check. Senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan said in a similar case, “Private prayers are fine, but if it’s seen as starting a public place, permissions matter.”

The men were charged under CrPC 151, which is for stopping possible crimes. It’s not a big charge, and bail is easy. But it can scare people.

Courts have said in past cases that police can’t stop prayers without good reason. In a 2020 Supreme Court ruling, they said religious rights are important, but community peace too.

In this case, since Tariq Khan promised not to use the house for prayers, the police had a point. But critics say why single out one faith?

Similar Cases in the Past

This is not the first time in UP. In January 2025, police arrested four men in Bareilly for namaz in a tin shed. It was after a drone video went viral. They said it was private, but locals complained.

In 2023, 57 people got in trouble for funeral prayers on a road in Bareilly. And in other states, like Haryana, there have been fights over prayers in open spaces.

These cases show a pattern. Some say it’s because of more complaints from groups like Hindu outfits. Others say police are extra careful after big riots in the past.

In 2022, in another state, police stopped Christian prayers in a house, saying it was conversion. But courts often let people go, saying no real crime.

Experts say talk between communities can solve this better than arrests.

Why This Matters for India

India is home to many religions. Keeping peace is key, but so is freedom. This case asks: When does a private prayer become public? And are rules fair for all?

In places like Bareilly, with history of tensions, small things can spark big issues. But overdoing police action can make people feel unsafe.

The government should make clear rules and talk to all sides. Maybe set up committees in villages to handle complaints.

As one expert said, “Faith is personal, but living together needs understanding.”

FAQs

What exactly happened in Bareilly?

On January 16, 2026, 12 men were detained by police in Mohammadganj village for offering Friday namaz in a house owned by Tariq Khan. Neighbours complained, and a video went viral. Police said it was without permission and could cause trouble. The men were let go on bail, but three are still wanted. This came after Khan promised the house was only for living, not religious use.

Why did the police arrest them?

The police wanted to stop any fight between communities. SP Anshika Verma said new religious gatherings need permission, or it’s against the law. They acted on complaints and the video to keep peace. It’s under rules to prevent breach of peace.

Is praying at home illegal in India?

No, praying at home is allowed under the Constitution. But if it’s a big group and seen as starting a new tradition or public spot, especially if there’s a complaint, police can check. In this case, because of the promise and complaints, they acted. But many say it’s too much.

What did Chandra Shekhar Aazad say?

He called it an attack on constitutional rights. He said if Hindus can do pujas at home, Muslims should be able to pray too. It’s unfair treatment, he added. Aazad often speaks for minority rights and has faced house arrest before for similar issues.

Are there similar cases?

Yes, in Bareilly itself, there were arrests in 2025 for namaz in a shed and in 2023 for road prayers. In other places, police have stopped group prayers if no permission. Courts usually say private faith is okay but public order matters.

What can be done to avoid such things?

Villages can have talks between leaders of different groups. Government can make simple rules for permissions. And people should respect each other’s space. Education on rights can help too.

Is this part of bigger issues in UP?

Some say yes, with more complaints about religious activities. UP has strict laws to keep harmony after past troubles. But critics say it targets minorities more. The government says law is equal for all.