A day after the November 10 Delhi Red Fort blast killed 13 and injured over 30, Rajasthan police in Barmer on November 12 intensified railway screenings—visibly focusing on Muslim passengers. Videos circulating online show officers singling out men wearing skull caps and beards, frisking pockets, inspecting seats, and rummaging through luggage in search of “evidence.”
The blast, linked to doctors from Al Falah University Hospital in Faridabad, Haryana, prompted nationwide high alerts and directives to scrutinize suspicious activity. Yet, the selective checks in Barmer have sparked outrage, with critics arguing one community is bearing the brunt of post-attack paranoia.
Eyewitnesses report non-Muslim travelers passing with minimal checks while those appearing Muslim face prolonged, invasive searches. “They didn’t even glance at others,” said a passenger in one viral clip. The footage captures an officer emptying a bag, scattering clothes and personal items, as the traveler waits silently.
Human rights advocates condemn the approach as discriminatory profiling, warning it risks alienuring communities and undermining trust in security forces during a national crisis. “Targeted checks based on appearance violate dignity and constitutional equality,” said a local activist.
Families of blast victims continue mourning, with many bodies still unidentified. The National Investigation Agency probes the ‘white-collar terror module’ spanning Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh, recovering explosives from off-campus locations.
As investigations deepen, calls grow for balanced, intelligence-led security—not blanket suspicion of a faith. Rajasthan police defend the checks as routine under heightened alert, but admit reviewing procedures to avoid bias perceptions.
The incident highlights a recurring tension: how to ensure safety without stigmatizing innocence in the shadow of terror. — With Agencies Inputs
This story was originally published in muslimmirror.com.