An in-depth look at the 2025 Cuttack communal clashes—timeline, causes, political reactions, and strategies for restoring peace and harmony
Bhaskar Parichha
This year’s Durga Puja celebrations in Cuttack have taken a different turn and exhibit a troubling pattern. Historically recognized as a city of communal harmony, where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians have lived together peacefully for centuries, Cuttack experienced unrest sparked by conflicts over religious processions.
The disturbances commenced on October 4, 2025, and quickly escalated, resulting in injuries, property destruction, and stringent government actions to restore order. Violence erupted between 1:30 and 2:00 AM near Haathi Pokhari in Dargah Bazar during a Durga idol immersion procession (Bhasani) that was making its way to Debigara along the banks of the Kathajodi river.
Residents raised objections to the loud music being played during the procession, which led to disputes that escalated into stone-throwing and the hurling of glass bottles from rooftops. Numerous participants sustained injuries, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police for Cuttack. Additionally, vehicles and stalls suffered damage.
Further violence broke out in the afternoon in Dargah Bazar when a motorcycle rally organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)—which had been denied permission by authorities due to concerns regarding law and order—clashed with law enforcement. Protesters threw stones, resulting in injuries to at least 25 police officers, media representatives, and civilians. Shops were vandalized, and there were reports of arson attempts.
The VHP initiated a 12-hour shutdown in response to the violence surrounding the immersion. Numerous organizations organized a procession to protest against the unrest. The atmosphere remained charged, with further police presence in sensitive locations.
A curfew lasting 36 hours was enforced beginning on the evening of October 5, 2025, across 13 police station jurisdictions in Cuttack, which included Dargah Bazaar, Mangalabag, Cantonment, Purighat, Lal Bagh, Bidanasi, Markat Nagar, CDA Phase 2, Malgodam, Badambadi, Jagatpur, Bayalis Mouza, and Sadar. Exceptions were made for essential services.
From 7:00 PM on October 5 to 7:00 PM on October 6, a 24-hour suspension of internet and social media services (including WhatsApp, Facebook, X, Instagram, and Snapchat) was implemented in areas governed by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Cuttack Development Authority (CDA), and the neighboring 42 Mauza region. Continuous patrolling by additional police units was established. Odisha DGP Y.B. Khurania assessed the situation and encouraged the public to disregard rumors circulating on social media.
Odisha’s Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, urged for tranquility, highlighting Cuttack’s historical commitment to brotherhood. BJD Chief Naveen Patnaik denounced the violent clashes as “alarming” in a “city of brotherhood,” criticizing the police’s inability to act and accusing the BJP government of exerting pressure on law enforcement. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured that strict measures would be taken and emphasized the importance of maintaining Cuttack’s tradition of harmony, labeling it a collective responsibility. Congress MLA Sofia Firdus expressed her sorrow regarding the unrest in the once peaceful city. BJD MP Sulata Deo referred to the incidents as “extremely unfortunate.”
These disturbances underscore the existing sensitivities surrounding religious processions in diverse communities, with previous Dussehra immersions in Cuttack also experiencing occasional stone-throwing incidents. Nevertheless, the events of 2025 faced widespread condemnation for jeopardizing the city’s inclusive spirit.
Odisha has traditionally been recognized for its relative communal harmony; however, the state has faced sporadic incidents of religious or communal violence, frequently instigated by conflicts over processions, rumors, animal sacrifices, or conversions. These occurrences share similarities with the disturbances in Cuttack in 2025, including clashes during festivals, stone-pelting, property damage, and governmental actions such as curfews and internet shutdowns.
Although the 2008 Kandhamal riots represented the most extreme anti-Christian violence, recent years, particularly post-2023, have witnessed an increase in Hindu-Muslim conflicts amid demographic changes and political shifts. Last year, Odisha documented at least four significant incidents, contributing to a statewide rise in communal unrest.
In 2024, Odisha experienced an 84% increase in communal riots (59 nationwide, with several occurring in Odisha), leading to 13 fatalities, predominantly among Muslims. Urban areas such as Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Sambalpur have observed a growth in Muslim populations due to migration from Bengal, often associated with low-wage labor, yet some attribute this to radicalization.
Addressing communal tensions, as evidenced by the recent disturbances in Cuttack and similar events in Odisha, necessitates a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes prevention, prompt response, and the establishment of long-term harmony.
When tensions escalate, swift intervention is essential to avert the spread of violence. The government of Odisha has already implemented some measures in recent incidents, such as curfews and internet shutdowns, yet a wider application could improve their effectiveness.
To tackle underlying issues such as demographic changes, economic inequalities, and historical grievances, ongoing efforts are required at the societal, educational, and governmental levels.
Encouraging community engagement through collective celebrations of festivals, collaborative cultural events, and integrated neighborhood developments to dismantle stereotypes is vital. Additionally, the implementation or enforcement of stricter laws against communal violence, including the establishment of special courts for justice and reforms aimed at enhancing police accountability to prevent inaction influenced by political pressures, is also necessary.
Drawing upon Gandhian principles such as equal respect for all religions, practicing non-violence in response to provocation, and reforming social structures can be highly effective. Promoting mutual participation in religious practices and emphasizing unity over nationalist sentiments can serve as a reliable solution for fostering enduring peace.
These strategies could be tailored to the local context, such as through the establishment of state-level interfaith councils or awareness campaigns that emphasize the region’s tradition of coexistence.
Ultimately, success will rely on collaborative efforts among the government, civil society, and citizens, steering clear of blame games and concentrating on shared responsibilities.
(The author is a senior journalist and columnist. Views expressed are personal.)