Kanpur, June 2: The Uttar Pradesh Minorities Commission has strongly denounced the detention of madrasa students by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and urged disciplinary measures against the implicated officials.
The arrest of several madrasa students on April 24 has ignited widespread concerns regarding religious discrimination. The incident originated from a complaint filed by the Principal of Madrasa Islamia in Kanpur District’s Ghatampur town. The Chairman of the Commission, Ashfaq Saifee, presided over the hearing earlier this week, where the alleged misconduct by RPF officials was detailed.
According to the principal’s account, students like Rahbar Alam, Sahib Babu, Muhammad Nafees, and others were apprehended at Kanpur railway station despite possessing valid tickets and identification documents.
Chairman Ashfaq Saifee revealed, “Sub-Inspector Amit Dwivedi from the Railway Protection Force appeared before the commission on May 15, 2024, but failed to provide any report or explanation regarding the complaint. A follow-up hearing was scheduled for May 28, yet no representative from the Railways attended.” Saifee emphasized the lack of response from the opposing party, indicating their failure to address the case.
The complaint outlined how the students, returning from Bihar to Kanpur after their madrasa holidays, were detained and subsequently sent to a juvenile home based on their Muslim identities. Allegedly, the students endured eight hours in RPF custody without access to food or water before being transferred to Kanpur’s Child Reform Home for seven days, where they were housed alongside children with criminal backgrounds.
Chairman Saifee affirmed, “The conduct of the officials involved in this case does not align with their official duties. Accordingly, appropriate action has been recommended as per existing regulations, with instructions provided to inform the commission of the ensuing measures.”
The principal of Madrasa Islamia underscored the significant disruption to the students’ studies, emphasizing that the actions of the RPF constituted a violation of their fundamental constitutional rights. “Despite presenting valid travel tickets and identity cards, the Railway Protection Force Kanpur subjected the students to discriminatory treatment,” the principal lamented. “Placing children in juvenile homes without just cause reflects an abuse of power and position by the implicated officers and personnel,” he added.
