Police arrests man wearing burqa who gatecrashed Janmashtami event in Ranchi

Police in Ranchi arrested a man on August 17 after he was allegedly found wearing a burqa at a Janmashtami event attended by the Governor, along with senior officials of the administration and police.

According to the police, the man appeared to be trying to blend into the crowd. The complaint was lodged by Nusrat Parveen, who said she noticed something unusual when she briefly stepped out to buy medicines during the programme. She explained that his walk and appearance made her suspect he was not a woman.

Parveen stated that when the man attempted to leave, she alerted the police nearby. He was eventually stopped near Zila School after boarding an e-rickshaw, the Indian Express reported.

She recounted that the veil was removed and it became evident that the person was male. Initially, he reportedly claimed he was looking for his wife, but Parveen alleged that the act amounted to a conspiracy aimed at disturbing public peace.

Parveen alleged that the incident was meant to malign the community’s image and disturb social harmony. She remarked that there would have been no objection if it had truly been a Muslim woman in a burqa, but the disguise of a man from another faith raised suspicions.

The officer in charge of Kotwali police station confirmed the arrest, noting that during the Governor’s Janmashtami programme, a man wearing jeans had been found dressed in a burqa under suspicious circumstances. He said an FIR had been filed and further investigation was underway.

When asked whether the accused had been loitering or engaged in some other activity, the officer maintained that the very act was aimed at disrupting communal harmony.