BHUBANESWAR: Tensions have arisen in parts of Odisha’s Khurda district after local residents and various social organisations called on authorities to deny permission for a proposed Tablighi Jamaat religious congregation in the Jatni police station area, citing serious concerns regarding law and order and communal harmony.
The controversy revolves around the Tirimal–Benapanjari area, where organisers plan to hold a large religious gathering in the coming days. Local residents fear that thousands of participants from outside the district could attend the event, potentially disrupting a region already deemed communally sensitive.
On January 12, representatives from various local bodies and social organisations submitted a memorandum to Khurda District Collector Amrit Ruturaj, urging the administration to withhold permission for the event in the interest of public safety and social harmony. Among the signatories were members of Bajrang Dal, Sangathit Hindu Parivar, Taraboi Village Committee, Hindu Jagran Manch, Navjyoti Seva Sangathan, and Hinduraj Seva Sangathan.
Area Described as Communally Sensitive
In their memorandum, the organisations highlighted that the Tirimal–Benapanjari area has a history of communal tension. They recalled an incident from about a decade ago when a Hindu youth was killed during a dispute over the construction of a Gita Bhavan at the same location. Since then, residents have regarded the area as highly sensitive from a law-and-order perspective.
The signatories further claimed that incidents related to illegal cattle trafficking and cow slaughter have been reported in the region in the past, along with a recent case linked to alleged love jihad. They warned that allowing a large-scale religious gathering under these circumstances could exacerbate tensions and threaten communal harmony.
Fears of Infiltration and Demographic Change
The memorandum also addressed concerns about illegal migration, particularly following the implementation of SIR (Special Intensive Revision) in West Bengal. The organisations alleged that undocumented Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals might be attempting to relocate to neighbouring states, including Odisha, and claimed that large religious gatherings could serve as a cover for such movements.
They urged the administration to consider these factors when deciding on permission for the proposed event, emphasising that maintaining law and order must be the top priority.
BJP Odisha spokesperson Anil Biswal, while speaking to Organiser, stated that the area’s history clearly demonstrates its sensitivity. “About ten years ago, serious communal tension erupted here over the construction of a Gita Bhavan, during which Kalandi Senapati was brutally killed. This alone shows how volatile the situation can be,” he said.
In Jatni, a suspicious program is being organized by Tablighi Jamaat, individuals organizing this program belong to criminal category. There is strong opposition from the local residents. Illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltrators are likely to participate in this program. pic.twitter.com/UeL0WzdRk4
— Anil Biswal (@BiswalAnil) January 13, 2026
Biswal alleged that the proposed religious event could be exploited to facilitate the settlement of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants in the area. “In light of these risks, the administration should not grant permission for the program. We hope the district authorities will make a prudent decision with public safety in mind,” he added.
He said earlier, too, a similar programme had been proposed for Cuttack, but an intelligence report led the administration to withdraw permission.
Tanmay Dash, Organising Secretary of Hindu Jagran Manch (Odisha Purv), also opposed the event, stating that any such large-scale religious gathering in a sensitive locality could seriously disturb communal peace.
“The administration should not allow this programme. Local residents have genuine fears about their safety and the possible impact on social harmony. Their concerns must be respected,” he said.
