In Bahraich district’s Pahalwara village, officials discovered 40 minor girls, aged 9 to 14, locked inside a toilet during an inspection of an unregistered madrassa. According to District Minority Welfare Officer Mohammad Khalid, the madrassa, Jamia Ghazia Gulshan-e-Ghausulwara, has reportedly been operating for nearly three years, without registration or legal documents. A 2023 survey had listed 495 unregistered madrassas in Bahraich, though this institution had escaped notice.

According to Khalid, “During questioning, we asked why the girls were hiding inside the toilet despite there being eight rooms in the madrassa, to which a teacher, Takseem Fatima, replied that the girls panicked in commotion and locked themselves inside”.

“The management has been told to send the girls safely to their homes, and it seems all have now reached back home,” Khalid said.

Girls Locked Inside Toilet Amid Panic

During the inspection, madrassa operators initially resisted officials attempting to access the upper floors. Female police personnel eventually unlocked a terrace toilet where the girls were hiding. The children appeared frightened and were unable to speak clearly. A teacher, Takseem Fatima, explained the girls panicked during the raid and locked themselves inside, possibly trying to create the impression that the madrassa’s activities had ceased.

“The management and staff could not produce any document related to registration or legality. During the 2023 survey, 495 unregistered madrassas were identified in Bahraich and it appears this one escaped the survey team’s notice then,” he said.

Authorities Order Closure and Safe Return of Students

Following the raid, the district administration ordered the madrassa to shut down immediately. Authorities instructed the management to ensure the safe return of all the girls to their homes, and officials confirmed that all students had now reached their families safely. Despite the discovery, no FIR has been registered yet, as the police await complaints from parents or officials to initiate legal action.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Payagpur Ashwini Kumar Pandey, said “On Wednesday, when we went to the building for an inspection, the madrassa operators initially tried to stop us from going upstairs. In the presence of police, we entered the premises and found the toilet on the terrace locked”.

The SDM said District Minority Welfare Officer Mohammad Khalid has been asked to verify the registration and legality of the institution.

Government’s Regulatory Challenge

While some unregistered madrassas were sealed last year, many have obtained stays from the High Court due to the absence of a clear state policy. Officials expect a new regulatory framework soon to address illegal madrassas in the region more effectively. The current incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by authorities in monitoring and regulating such institutions.

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