Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan has emerged as one of Uttar Pradesh’s most controversial clerics and political figures. Recently arrested for allegedly masterminding the violent ‘I Love Muhammad’ protests in Bareilly, Khan has a long history of instigating unrest, swaying elections, and clashing with authorities.
From his clerical lineage to his political influence, Khan’s profile is a mix of religious authority, power politics, and controversy.
Who is Tauqeer Raza Khan?
Born in the 1970s, Tauqeer Raza Khan is a great-grandson of Ahmed Raza Khan, famously known as Ala Hazrat, the founder of the Barelvi Sunni order. He is also the younger brother of Maulana Subhan Raza Khan, the current custodian of the Bareilly dargah.
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Khan founded the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) in 2001, a regional political outfit aimed at unifying Muslim voices in Uttar Pradesh. Though the IMC remains primarily local, Khan’s endorsements have turned him into a kingmaker in Bareilly and Rohilkhand, often influencing Congress, Samajwadi Party, and BSP candidates.
Tauqeer Raza Khan Father Name
Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan’s father’s name is Rehan Raza Khan. He was an Islamic scholar and was active in politics, serving as an MLC (Member of Legislative Council) for the Congress party. His Great-Grandfather’s name is Ahmed Raza Khan (Ala Hazrat), who was the founder of the Barelvi Sunni movement.
Tauqeer Raza Khan Brother Name
Tauqeer Raza Khan’s brother’s name is Maulana Subhan Raza Khan, who is currently the custodian of the Bareilly dargah.
Tauqeer Raza Khan Wife
Public details about Tauqeer Raza Khan’s wife are not widely available.
Tauqeer Raza Khan Children
His son Sheeran Raza Khan is known publicly, and his daughter-in-law, Nida Khan, is a notable figure who joined the BJP in 2022, a triple talaq survivor, and has publicly praised PM Modi’s reforms.
Political Influence & Kingmaker Status
Khan’s political sway is significant. In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, his support helped Praveen Singh Aron defeat BJP veteran Santosh Gangwar. He has met with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and was courted by the Aam Aadmi Party in 2013. Khan himself served as a Congress MLC at one point.
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Even so, family divisions exist. In 2022, his daughter-in-law, Nida Khan, a triple talaq survivor, joined the BJP, praising PM Modi’s reforms and criticizing Congress for hollow women’s rights rhetoric.
Controversies & Riots
Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan has a history of inciting unrest. He was convicted as the mastermind of the 2010 Bareilly riots, which included temple attacks and weeks-long communal violence. In 2007, he offered a Rs 5 lakh bounty on Taslima Nasrin’s head.
During the anti-CAA protests in 2019-20 and the Haridwar Dharma Sansad row in 2022, he repeatedly made inflammatory statements targeting Hindu communities. Over the years, he has also mocked Hindu women publicly.
Bareilly ‘I Love Muhammad’ Protests
Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan is accused of orchestrating the recent Bareilly protests that turned violent. Thousands of followers gathered after he posted a video urging them to join the demonstration. Stones, acid bombs, and empty bullet shells were recovered after clashes with police. Over 30 officers were injured.
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Authorities said Khan used WhatsApp groups and viral videos as part of an “online toolkit” to mobilize up to 16,000 people. His properties and IMC offices were sealed, bulldozers demolished illegal structures, and over 2,000 people were booked.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said, “A Maulana forgot who’s in power in the state. He thought he could halt the system at will, but we made it clear there would be neither a blockade nor a curfew.”
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