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In a shocking incident that has stirred both legal and communal outrage, a woman named Sandhya Devi from Kumedpur, West Bengal, was caught smuggling liquor in a burqa in Katihar, Bihar. The state, where alcohol is strictly prohibited under law, has seen several smuggling cases—but this one stood out due to the intentional use of Islamic attire by a non-Muslim woman, raising serious concerns about attempts to defame the Muslim identity.
Caught in the Act: Liquor Hidden Under the Burqa
According to reports, Sandhya Devi attempted to smuggle multiple liquor bottles concealed beneath a burqa to bypass local enforcement in Katihar. She was caught red-handed, and a video of the incident went viral across social media, showing bottles of alcohol being pulled out from under her clothing.
Authorities quickly took her into custody, and she is now facing charges under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, which bans the sale and transportation of alcohol within the state.
ये लो संस्कारी देवी शराब तस्करी करते हुए पकड़ी गई,,,इन लपूझन्नीयो को हर काम बुर्का पहन कर ही करना होता है चाहे फिर वो भीख मांगना हो या शराब की तस्करी करना हो।
अंधभक्तों देख लो अपनी दीदी के संस्कारी कारनामें को,,,🤣
वैसे अब समझ आया बुर्का इतना महंगा क्यों हो गया।🔥 pic.twitter.com/8HTxOYZg1h
— Adv.Nazneen Akhtar (@NazneenAkhtar23) April 18, 2025
Intentional Disguise or Communal Targeting?
What has shocked many observers is Sandhya Devi’s choice to wear a burqa, despite not being a Muslim. This has led to widespread speculation that her actions may not have been just about smuggling—but also a deliberate attempt to malign the image of Muslim women, who wear the burqa as a symbol of modesty and religious faith.
Many activists have pointed out that this misuse of a religious symbol is not only unethical but possibly designed to provoke. In an atmosphere where Islamophobia is already a rising concern, such incidents can add fuel to communal tensions.
Public Outrage and Muslim Community Response
The viral video sparked immediate outrage. While some used it to mock Islamic attire and spread hatred, many sensible voices condemned the manipulation of Muslim identity for criminal purposes. Community leaders demanded a deeper probe to understand whether this act was a lone case or part of a wider effort to defame Muslims.
Muslim women, in particular, voiced their pain and concern over how their sacred attire was used as a cover for crime, making them more vulnerable to suspicion and ridicule in public spaces.
Legal and Ethical Implications
This incident raises an important question: Can misuse of religious symbols be treated lightly? While smuggling is a criminal offense, disguising oneself using another community’s sacred attire to commit a crime adds a communal angle, which must be addressed seriously.
Legal experts suggest that if it is proven that Sandhya Devi’s choice of disguise was intentional with the goal of creating communal mistrust or defaming Islam, additional charges under laws protecting religious sentiments may be applicable.
Conclusion: Protecting Identities, Preventing Hate
The arrest of Sandhya Devi is more than just a case of liquor smuggling. It’s a warning sign that some individuals may go to dangerous lengths to manipulate public perception of an entire community. In this case, the burqa was not just misused—it was weaponized to spread a false narrative.
