The Delhi blast that devastated the daily life of the national capital, triggering a widespread search and alert across the country, since the city is considered one of the most secure with all national agencies keeping their eyes unblinking, particularly on the eve of the Bihar Assembly poll, sent a chilling wave of fear among the common people.
But in Rajasthan, videos surfaced showing police singling out visibly Muslim passengers, who were subjected to thorough searches while others were allowed to pass without scrutiny, an act viewed as an attempt to create a condition where Muslims are seen with suspicion.
The blast, which took place outside Red Fort on the evening of November 10, claimed 13 lives and left more than 30 people injured, sending shockwaves across the nation as many families mourned their loss.
The explosion, suspected to have been triggered by an improvised explosive device, shattered the sense of security in the capital, with the Union Cabinet later describing it as a heinous act carried out by anti-national elements. The government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, directed that the investigation be pursued with the utmost urgency and professionalism to ensure that the perpetrators and their associates were brought to justice.
Following the incident, the entire nation was placed on high alert as authorities intensified security checks at airports, railway stations, and other public places, but reports from Barmer in Rajasthan on November 12 indicated that the screening exercise had taken a discriminatory turn.
Videos circulating online showed police and railway security personnel focusing their searches on visibly Muslim passengers, identifiable by their skull caps and beards, while many others passed through without scrutiny. The footage revealed officers checking pockets, inspecting luggage, and even examining seats, as if searching for evidence that might justify their profiling.
The blast investigation, which the police confirmed involved doctors associated with Al Falah University Hospital in Faridabad, Haryana, has heightened anxiety among citizens, and in some regions, it appears to have resulted in overzealous enforcement targeting a specific community.
Although the authorities have urged vigilance against suspicious activity, the selective frisking of passengers in Rajasthan has raised concerns about the misuse of such directives, where fear is turning into prejudice.
As the nation continues to grapple with the trauma of the deadly attack, questions are being raised about the methods employed in the name of national security and whether such approaches might deepen communal divides rather than strengthen public safety.
The images from Barmer, in contrast to the official assurances of fairness and professionalism, reflect an unsettling reality where the shadow of suspicion seems to fall disproportionately on one community, evoking apprehension and alienation at a time when unity is most required.