RPF instils fear in 32 Muslim children in skull caps by detaining in Bihar

About 32 Muslim children wearing skull caps, along with their guardian from Maida Babhangama village in Bihar, were detained by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Mokama railway station on Monday on allegations of child labour, despite their having shown their student identities. The RPF action visibly instilled fear among the children as they were on their way to Zakariya Madarsa in Surat, Gujarat, to resume their studies.

A widely circulated video on social media shows the children behind bars before they were eventually released and let go on their own.

The children, who had returned to their village to celebrate Eid, were travelling back to Jamia Zakariya Madarsa when they were intercepted and held for nearly 14 hours without adequate explanation or basic provisions, according to Maktoob media.

According to reports, the students were detained on suspicion of being trafficked for child labour, although they were reportedly carrying valid student identification cards and madrassa admission documents.

Despite this, the RPF personnel refused to acknowledge the documents and proceeded to take the children and their guardian into custody. The children, who were wearing traditional attire, including skull caps and kurta-pajamas, were reportedly singled out based on their appearance.

The children were confined within the station premises from early morning without being given food or water and were not permitted to contact anyone outside. Video footage circulated on social media showed the children sitting behind bars, appearing visibly frightened and confused, as local residents and relatives made repeated efforts to secure their release.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that those who attempted to intervene were met with threats of arrest from the police.

The incident has sparked sharp criticism from community members who allege that the detention was a case of religious profiling, as the children were targeted solely because of their Muslim identity and traditional attire.

Residents who gathered at the station to protest the detention accused the police of acting in a discriminatory manner and demanded an explanation for the prolonged custody of minors without a proper inquiry.

Following sustained pressure from the local community, the children and their guardian were eventually released late at night.

However, the psychological impact of the detention remains with the children, who are reported to have been deeply shaken by the experience. Despite growing demands for accountability, the RPF and local police have yet to issue any official statement regarding the incident or the allegations of communal bias and mistreatment.