Bhubaneswar: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has strongly condemned the violence that erupted during the Durga Visarjan procession in Cuttack and announced a city-wide bandh for Monday, October 6. The organisation has held the district administration and police accountable, demanding the transfer of the Cuttack District Collector and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), along with routine checks in the communally sensitive Qadam Rasul area.
At a press conference, VHP Cuttack district president Basudev Behera expressed outrage over the attacks, which he alleged were orchestrated by “jihadi
forces.” He stated that devotees and participants in the immersion procession were targeted with stones, sticks, and even sharp weapons. “This is an extremely condemnable act,” Behera said, noting that at least four youths and several policemen, including the DCP himself, were critically injured.
The clashes occurred near two major puja pandals – Bhagabat Committee Jhanjirimangala and the Rausapatana ground – where groups of miscreants reportedly launched assaults on the procession. “Not only was there stone-pelting, but even sword and knife attacks were carried out openly. What is more shocking is that the police stood by as mute spectators,” Behera added.
According to the VHP, despite claims that 1,000 CCTV cameras and drones had been deployed across the city for surveillance, they were ineffective in preventing the incident. “What purpose did this expensive surveillance serve? This is a complete failure of the police and intelligence system,” Behera questioned.
He further alleged that while miscreants brandished swords and lathis, police personnel were seen protecting them rather than arresting them. “We have video evidence of this. The police could have detained them on the spot but chose not to. This raises suspicions about the neutrality of both the police and the state government,” he said.
The VHP also linked the incident to rising extremist activities in the area, claiming that such acts were being carried out under the political patronage of local Congress legislator Sofia Firdous. “Incidents of hoisting Pakistan flags and promoting slogans such as ‘I Love Mohammad’ are increasing under her blessings. Instead of protecting Hindu festivals, the government is imposing unnecessary restrictions, creating unrest,” Behera alleged.
The VHP leadership described the attack on the immersion procession as a “pre-planned assault,” highlighting repeated communal flare-ups in the Qadam Rasul locality. “We demand strict action against those guilty of such barbaric acts,” Behera stated, outlining a set of demands:
Routine door-to-door checks by police in the Qadam Rasul area to identify and remove external criminals and infiltrators.
The state government must bear the medical expenses of all injured devotees and police personnel.
Regular security inspections in communally sensitive areas and submission of detailed safety reports to the government.
A thorough investigation into the incident to expose and prosecute those operating from behind the scenes.
The VHP has appealed to all Hindu organisations and puja committees in Cuttack to support the bandh call. “We urge the entire Hindu community of Cuttack to stand united against these communal rioters. If the government fails to take strong steps, the VHP will be compelled to mobilise society and intensify its struggle,” Behera warned.
Present at the press briefing were VHP working president Gaur Kailash Rao, secretary Devi Prasad Mahapatra, the Bajrang Dal district convener, and several other office-bearers. Representatives from the Jhanjirimangala and Rausapatana puja committees also joined the meeting in solidarity.
Meanwhile, the Cuttack district unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also denounced the violence, demanding stringent punitive measures against those arrested. “The accused must be booked under the National Security Act (NSA) to set an example for those attempting to disrupt communal harmony during religious festivals,” said Sukant Biswal, president of the Cuttack BJP.
He further emphasised, “We condemn the attacks during the immersion ceremony and demand strict action against those who tried to tarnish the brotherhood and peace of the city.”
In response to the tense situation, heavy police deployment has been ordered in sensitive areas of Cuttack to prevent further flare-ups. Authorities have appealed for peace and restraint, even as pressure mounts on the administration to act decisively against the perpetrators.
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