Communal violence: Odisha must rein in troublemakers

CUTTACK, a city renowned for its tradition of bhaichara (brotherhood), is limping back to normalcy days after it was rocked by communal violence. Clashes broke out in Odisha’s cultural capital when a procession was heading towards a river to immerse Durga idols. There was more trouble later when the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) accused the police of failing to take action against rioters and took out a motorcycle rally — allegedly in defiance of the administration’s orders. Protesting bikers clashed with the police when they were stopped from entering a communally sensitive area, even as arson attacks were carried out at several places. It was a shock for residents to watch their peaceful city being sullied by the communal virus, which has sparked tensions during festivals in several parts of the country in recent years.

The disturbing incidents have shown the year-old BJP government in a very poor light. The authorities should have been well prepared for such an eventuality, considering what had happened in Balasore soon after Mohan Charan Majhi took oath as CM in June 2024. Clashes had erupted over rumours of mass cow slaughter on the occasion of Id-ul-Azha, leading to the imposition of curfew and an Internet shutdown. Maintaining law and order continues to be a huge challenge for the Majhi government, with several cases of violence by cow vigilantes being reported. There have also been attacks on Christians in the state where a mob led by a Bajrang Dal activist had burnt alive Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons in 1999. A convict in this case was released from jail earlier this year on the grounds of “good behaviour”, prompting the VHP to welcome the government’s decision.

Good governance during the past two decades has made Odisha an enviable role model for other states. The ruling BJP needs to ensure that those involved in stoking communal fires, no matter which party or religion they belong to, are not spared. This is a must to consolidate the phenomenal gains made by Odisha.