Bihar: Thirty-two Muslim children who were detained a day earlier in Mokama, Bihar, for wearing skull caps have been released after spending nearly 14 hours in custody, Siasat.com reported.
Their release followed the circulation of a video on social media showing the students in detention, which led to public outrage, mentioned another report by Muslim Mirror.
While initial reports claimed Mokama police were responsible, it was later confirmed that the Railway Protection Force (RPF) had taken the children into custody.
The group was en route to Surat in Gujarat to resume studies at Jamia Zakariya Madarsa after Eid holidays.
Upon arriving at the Mokama railway station, RPF personnel questioned the children over their attire—kurta-pyjama and skull caps—and allegedly suspected them of being child labourers.
Despite presenting valid identification and admission documents from their madrasa, and explaining they were returning for religious studies, the RPF reportedly refused to believe them and detained them.
The children were kept for more than 12 hours without being given food or water, according to reports.
A video of the incident went viral, prompting strong backlash and leading concerned local Muslims to visit the station and demand their release, The Observer Post reported.
“They told us to leave or face jail time. But we stood our ground and said, ‘If you won’t free the children, then arrest us instead,’” local resident Amin was quoted as saying.
The children were eventually released after negotiations with RPF authorities.
The incident has sparked outrage, with many accusing the RPF of religious profiling and mistreating the children.
