More than 160 children travelling to madrasas were stopped on suspicion of human trafficking; authorities later found no evidence of trafficking and released the minors
BHOPAL — A 15-year-old boy from Bihar has alleged that he was asked by officials whether he was “going to become a terrorist” after he was detained along with more than 160 children travelling to madrasas in different states and stopped on suspicion of human trafficking in Madhya Pradesh.
The incident has sparked concern among activists and community groups after authorities reportedly found no evidence of trafficking or forced labour and subsequently released the children.
Irfan Sheikh, a resident of Araria district in Bihar, was among nearly 100 children from Araria and neighbouring areas who were travelling to madrasas in different states. According to reports, the children were accompanied by madrasa teachers and were not travelling alone.
However, officials from the Railway Police and child welfare authorities intercepted the group at Katni railway station in Madhya Pradesh. A total of 163 children were taken into custody on suspicion of human trafficking.
Subsequent investigations reportedly found no evidence that the children had been trafficked or were being taken for forced labour. The children were later released.
Irfan’s mother, Kiswar Jahan, a widow from a poor family, travelled to Madhya Pradesh after learning that her son had been detained. According to reports, she spent her savings to reach the state and submitted documents proving that Irfan was her son and that he had been travelling to a madrasa for education.
Despite producing the documents, she was not immediately allowed to take her son home or meet him freely, reports said.
Speaking about his detention, Irfan claimed that officials asked him several questions about his journey and education.
“They asked me why I was going so far away to study in a madrasa, who my parents were and whether I was going there to become a terrorist,” he was quoted as saying.
The episode has drawn criticism from some social activists and community organisations, who argue that Muslim children travelling to religious institutions are being viewed with suspicion.
Responding to the criticism, Manish Tiwari, chairman of the Child Welfare Committee in Jabalpur, defended the questioning.
He said that given the current circumstances, such inquiries were part of the normal verification process and that officials were required to confirm all aspects of a child’s travel and welfare.
According to reports, this was not an isolated incident. This year, authorities reportedly stopped 375 children in nine separate cases while they were travelling by train on suspicion of human trafficking.
Most of the children involved were reportedly from the Muslim community, and in seven of the nine cases they were travelling to madrasas for education. In all cases, the allegations of trafficking were later found to be unsubstantiated, according to the reports.
Several social organisations have questioned the repeated detention of madrasa-bound children.
Members of the Jan Jagran Shakti Sangathan alleged that Muslim children were being selectively targeted. Ashish Ranjan, a member of the organisation, said a particular narrative was being created around children travelling to madrasas.
Some madrasa administrators also expressed concern that attempts were being made to portray madrasa education negatively.
Officials, however, rejected allegations of discrimination.
Deepak Kumar Verma, chairman of the Child Welfare Committee in Araria, said that authorities were acting within the framework of child protection laws.
“Children are considered to need care and protection under the law, and therefore verification procedures are carried out,” he said.
The incident has renewed debate over the balance between child protection measures and concerns about profiling, particularly when investigations repeatedly find no evidence of trafficking or other wrongdoing.
Authorities have maintained that the checks were conducted as part of standard procedures designed to ensure the safety and welfare of children travelling long distances.
