UP’s Fatehpur on High Alert After Viral Post; Police Seal One-Kilometer Radius Around Disputed Site

National News: The long-standing mausoleum–temple dispute in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, has once again flared up after a controversial social media post went viral. The post, made from a Facebook ID named @up-71 fatehpur, called upon people to gather near the Fatehpur mausoleum on August 16 with the words, “Rise, lions of Islam, it is time to stand up; come to Fatehpur.”

The inflammatory post triggered sharp reactions from Hindu organizations, who in response announced a kirtan program at the same mausoleum on the same day. Sensing possible unrest, the district administration swung into action, deploying police forces from 15 police stations, the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and reinforcements from neighboring districts Kaushambi, Hamirpur, and Banda.

Police Removes Viral Post, Case Registered

Fatehpur police immediately removed the post after it began circulating rapidly across social media groups. A case under the IT Act was registered against those responsible. Police said such provocative content had the potential to incite communal tension and strict measures were required.

Area Completely Sealed, Restrictions Imposed

The administration has sealed a one-kilometer radius around the mausoleum in the Abu Nagar Redaiya locality, banning even media entry in the area. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have also been enforced.

The dispute intensified on August 11, when, on the call of the local BJP District President, a large crowd gathered at the mausoleum, declared it a temple, performed rituals, and even vandalized the structure. Since then, the situation has remained volatile.

Security Tightened Ahead of Janmashtami

Given the upcoming Janmashtami festival, authorities have enforced a three-layer barricade around the disputed site. Police forces from five police stations have been deployed within 500 meters of the mausoleum, while security personnel from 15 stations are on guard within a one-kilometer radius. Kotwali in-charge Tarkeshwar Rai appealed to citizens to refrain from posting any inflammatory content on social media, warning of strict legal action.

Action Against Inflammatory Comments

Apart from the initial post, two individuals—Mohammad Mozaffar Imran and Akhand Pratap Singh—have been booked for objectionable and provocative comments on social media. According to police, Imran shared semi-nude photographs of women along with inflammatory remarks, while Singh made derogatory statements targeting a particular community. Both posts further fueled tensions.

Clashes on August 11

The roots of the present crisis lie in the incident of August 11, when nearly 2,000 members of Bajrang Dal, Hindu Mahasabha, and other organizations reached the mausoleum near Idgah. Declaring it a temple, they vandalized the site, performed rituals, and hoisted a saffron flag. In retaliation, around 1,500 people from the Muslim community assembled at the location. The situation quickly escalated into stone pelting between the two sides. Police resorted to lathi charges and had to deploy forces from 10 police stations to bring the situation under control.