India’s ‘Thief Schools’: Where Kids Learn to Steal at Weddings

In certain villages of India, a disturbing trend has emerged: ‘thief schools’ that teach children the skills of robbery, primarily targeting wealthy wedding celebrations. Desperate families, struggling with poverty, pay exorbitant fees to enroll their children in these institutions, where they are trained in techniques such as pickpocketing, snatching purses, and evading the police. These schools, located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, provide specialized training in criminal activities, effectively transforming young students into hardened criminals. The curriculum focuses on practical skills, including how to blend into affluent crowds, identify valuable targets, and skillfully execute thefts during lavish weddings. Police authorities express concern over the rise of these schools, pointing out the difficulty in prosecuting minors due to their age. With the allure of substantial financial rewards, the cycle of crime perpetuated by these schools poses a serious threat to societal order and public safety in India.