A heated argument over seating on the Hirakud Express led passenger Ramesh Paswan to label three Muslim youths as terrorists, prompting a full search by Railway Protection Force
NEW DELHI – A terror alert on the long-distance Amritsar–Visakhapatnam Hirakud Express passenger train was found to be completely fabricated after a Hindu passenger, later identified as Ramesh Paswan, accused three Muslim co-travellers of being “terrorists” during a dispute over seats.
The incident earlier this week reflects the deepening climate of Islamophobia where mere allegation is enough to trigger police action, panic and sweeping suspicion.
The authorities halted the train in Madhya Pradesh and removed four passengers after a warning was issued to the Railway Protection Force control room.
The incident occurred in the general compartment, where Paswan reportedly clashed with Bilal Jilani, Ishan Khan, and Faizan over their seating arrangements. Following the argument, he called the control room, claiming the three were terrorists.
“After the complaint, the train was stopped at a station, and the Railway Protection Force conducted a thorough search,” said Railway Superintendent of Police, Vipal Kumar Srivastava. “Sniffer dogs were deployed to check for explosives, but nothing suspicious was found. The train then resumed its journey to Visakhapatnam.”
The three Muslim passengers were questioned by authorities alongside Paswan and later released. No charges have been filed against them, and it remains unclear whether any action has been taken against Paswan for providing false information and defaming the passengers.
Bilal Jilani, one of the accused, described the ordeal: “It was humiliating to be labelled a terrorist simply because of our religion. We were only trying to travel peacefully, yet we were treated with suspicion and insulted in front of other passengers.”
Human rights advocates warn that such incidents reflect a broader pattern of Islamophobia in India. “Increasingly, Muslim citizens are being targeted and falsely accused in public spaces, often over minor disputes. This creates fear and divides communities,” said Ayesha Khan, a social activist based in Madhya Pradesh.
The incident has sparked debate on social media, with many calling for stricter action against those who spread false accusations based on religious identity.
“This was a clear case of defamation and religious discrimination. Such actions should have legal consequences to prevent the harassment of innocent citizens,” added Khan.
Authorities continue to investigate whether any measures will be taken against Ramesh Paswan for his false claims, while the three Muslim passengers have resumed their journey under police protection.
