Sar tan se juda not same as Jai Shri Ram: UP violence accused's bail plea junked

The Allahabad High Court rejected the bail plea of the main accused in the September 2025 Bareilly violence case. It said the "Sar tan se juda" slogan cannot be treated as a devotional chant and is not protected as free speech.Bareilly violence accusedThe Allahabad High Court has rejected the bail plea of Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, the main accused in the September 2025 Bareilly violence, and observed that the "Sar tan se juda” slogan cannot be equated with religious chants such as Jai Shri Ram and Allahu Akbar.On September 26 last year, a mob attacked police teams and raised "Sar tan se juda” slogans at the direction of Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan during violence in Bareilly.Clashes had erupted after Friday prayers when protesters opposing FIRs registered over “I Love Muhammad” posters were not allowed to hold a demonstration and confronted the police.The police named Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan as the prime accused in the case. During the hearing on Monday, a single bench of Justice Ashutosh Srivastava said the religious slogans cited in the case express reverence and respect for God, while "Sar tan se juda” challenges the authority of law as well as the sovereignty and integrity of India.The court observed that such a slogan can incite people towards violent rebellion and taking up arms, which is punishable under law. It further noted that freedom of speech cannot protect threats to the authority of law, distinguishing such chants from religious slogans expressing devotion.In view of the gravity of the matter and the allegations, the bail plea was declined.- EndsPublished By: Karishma Saurabh KalitaPublished On: Sep 8, 2026 10:57 IST