The incident at Makama station raises questions on religious discrimination; activists demand legal action against police
Team Clarion
BEGUSARAI – A shocking incident has emerged from Begusarai district, where 32 children travelling from Maida Babhangama village to Jamia Zakaria Madrasa in Surat were detained by the Railway Police at Makama station. The children, who were simply wearing caps, were taken off the train and kept hungry and thirsty for several hours, triggering a wave of anger and concern over potential religious discrimination.
The incident, captured in a viral video, has stirred widespread controversy. According to local journalist Seemab Akhtar, the children, aged between 10 and 15, were travelling by train when they were stopped by the police. The police reportedly found the children’s caps suspicious, although no solid reasons were given for their detention. The children were detained at the station and were not provided any food or water. It remains unclear what charges, if any, were levied against them.
“I was deeply shocked when I saw the video of innocent children being detained for no reason,” said Akhtar, who posted the video on social media, along with a message condemning the police action. “They were just wearing caps, and that was enough to raise suspicion. This is religious discrimination, pure and simple,” Akhtar added. In his post, Akhtar tagged Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, urging them to take immediate action.
https://twitter.com/simabakhtar2/status/1909181850968301948
The video quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing outrage from several quarters, particularly from Muslim organisations and human rights activists. Many criticised the detention as an affront to basic human rights and a violation of the constitutional guarantee of equality. “This action goes against the very principles of justice and humanity,” said a representative of a local Muslim organisation. “The police’s actions are not only unconstitutional but deeply discriminatory.”
In the aftermath of the video’s virality, legal experts and activists have called for strict legal action against the Railway Police officials involved in the detention. Many are demanding a thorough investigation to hold the authorities accountable. “This cannot be allowed to go unchallenged. These children were treated unfairly, and the responsible officials must face consequences,” stated a human rights lawyer who wished to remain anonymous.
Local councillor Shoaib said mere suspicion of some illegal activity led to the detention of the students. “This happened despite they had proper ID cards from the madrasa and a letter from the mukhiya (head) of their village. It’s regrettable,” he said in a video.
It’s an injustice with the madrasa students, he added.
Local activists, who reached the police station soon after the detention of students, intervened and got all the students released late in the night. The students seemed famished as they were kept in detention for hours without food and water.
An activist said the students were victims of the rising hate in the country.
“Hatemongers are growing in the country. They get irritated with the skull cap and Islamic attire. These students were going to study in Surat. They did not indulge in any anti-social activity,” he said.
Reports said the students were detained over suspicion of human trafficking.
The incident has raised broader questions about the treatment of religious minorities in the country, especially in the context of growing concerns over religious profiling. Critics argue that this is part of a worrying trend of increased scrutiny and discrimination faced by Muslims in the country.
The viral video has also prompted calls for increased vigilance and reform within law enforcement agencies to prevent similar incidents in the future. As pressure mounts on the government to address the issue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater sensitivity and accountability within the police force.
