Uttar Pradesh: ‘Identified by Their Clothes’, Muslim Students Detained by RPF Personnel at Kanpur

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Minority Commission has recommended punitive action against some officials of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) for allegedly detaining 14 minor students at the Kanpur railway station when they were returning to their madrasa after a month-long holiday.

The recommendation is based on a complaint filed by the principal of the respective religious seminary. Allegations suggest that the RPF detained the students because of their attire. Despite producing documents, confirming the identity of the students by madrasa officials, the cops allegedly refused to release them. The students were sent to a juvenile reform home, where they had to stay seven days.

The commission stated the role of the concerned RPF personnel “was not in accordance with their official duties. It is recommended to take appropriate punitive action against them as per law”. It has written to the RPF’s senior divisional security commissioner, North Central Railway (Prayagraj Division).

On April 24, 14 children arrived at Kanpur Junction and were heading towards the madrasa when they were detained by the RPF personnel.

The complainant alleged the children were targeted, despite having valid railway tickets, because they were dressed in Muslim attire. When madrasa officials arrived and produced required documents to the police to confirm the identity of the students, the RPF officers allegedly refused to release them.

Later in the evening, the children were sent to a juvenile correction home. The complainant also claimed the children were not provided with food and water until evening.

According to The Indian Express, the senior divisional security commissioner (Allahabad Division) of the RPF, Vijay Prakash Pandit, claimed they have not received any communication from the commission.

A senior RPF officer claimed they were not given the opportunity to present their side by the commission. They said they would appeal against the orders of the commission.