In a significant display of strength and solidarity, thousands of members from various Hindu organisations, social groups, spiritual organisations, and the general public gathered at the District Collector’s office in Bhadrak to demand action on issues affecting the Hindu community. Concerns have escalated over the past few months regarding threats to religious harmony and a potential conspiracy to disrupt peace in the region. Despite repeated appeals to the district administration, locals claim that little action has been taken to address these grievances.
“In recent months, we have observed that radical Islamist forces are disturbing peace in Bhadrak district. These groups are at times attacking the police, targeting Hindu traders, and even ordinary Hindu families. Cow slaughter and cattle smuggling are rampant. Despite repeated demands from Hindu organisations for necessary action, the Bhadrak district administration and police have not implemented any concrete measures. This lack of action has compelled us to take to the streets in protest. Strict action must be taken against such anti-social and anti-national forces, or else the movement will intensify in the coming days,” said Manas Mohanty, a senior functionary of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).
Key Demands: Action on Religious and Social Issues
The gathering aimed to highlight unresolved issues, including alleged incidents of “love jihad,” a complete ban on religious conversions, and threats to Hindu religious sites. Leaders from prominent organisations such as the Hindu Jagran Manch, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and Bajrang Dal called for swift administrative action on several demands, including:
Swift Arrests and Investigations: Protesters demanded the immediate arrest of key suspects involved in recent attacks on police personnel and Hindu individuals.
Formation of a District Task Force: A dedicated team to investigate “love jihad” incidents and alleged illegal conversions in the region was requested, alongside a ban on the illegal construction of religious structures.
Identification and Deportation of Unauthorized Foreign Nationals: Local leaders expressed concerns over alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators, calling for identification, deportation, and action against landlords who provide them shelter.
Protection of Hindu Heritage Sites and Institutions: Protesters called for adherence to the 1960 Odisha Cow Slaughter Prohibition Act, a ban on illegal cow slaughter and trafficking, and the restoration of lands belonging to Bhadrak’s historic Sadavart Math to the rightful religious custodians.
NIA Investigation and Anti-Terror Measures: Protesters urged authorities to investigate individuals suspected of links with international extremist organisations like Hamas and Tehrik-e-Taliban.
Protesters also voiced concerns over alleged forced religious conversions by Christian missionaries, demanding an end to conversions and the cancellation of caste-based government benefits for individuals who have converted. Additional demands included the immediate removal of restrictions on constructing a Hanuman temple on private land in Santhia and the reclamation of Hindu religious land encroached upon by unauthorized entities.
At a rally, Hindu leaders urged the district administration to take decisive action to protect the Hindu community. They voiced concerns about alleged negligence and a lack of timely government intervention, expressing frustration over the authorities’ inaction.
Key figures in the delegation included Manas Mahanti, advocate Nityananda Nayak, social worker Sarat Padhiari, Basant Raut, and Dr. Ajay Panda. The event was moderated by Shashank Shekhar Samal, with numerous representatives addressing the crowd to highlight the significance of these issues for the security and preservation of Hindu culture in Bhadrak.
The protest featured representatives from over a dozen Hindu organisations and culminated in a large rally from Gandhi Pada to the Collector’s office. A high-level delegation submitted a formal memorandum to the Collector, outlining these urgent demands and urging the administration to act in the interests of justice .
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