Odisha, India – The Ganatantrik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan (GASS) expresses concern over the rising communal tensions in Odisha, a state traditionally known for its peace and harmony. Recent developments, including the incident in Balasore, attacks on minorities from neighboring states, and the spread of rumours in Kandhamal, fuelled by the rise of the Sangh Parivar, have pushed Odisha toward the brink of communal unrest, threatening the safety and livelihoods of its citizens.
Since the ascension of the BJP to power at the center, the country has become deeply entangled in communal tensions. Attacks by members of the Sangh Parivar on religious minorities, spreading fear among them, have become alarmingly common in various regions. Disturbingly, even the head of state appears to engage in communal rhetoric, setting a concerning example for the ruling party’s leadership.
While Odisha has remained relatively peaceful amid this turmoil, recent events paint a different picture. The BJP’s post-electoral victories have escalated communal tensions and clashes in the state. The rise of Sangh Parivar politics, in tandem with the BJP’s ascension to power, has exacerbated the situation.
In a worrying development, a recent event in Bangladesh has been used as a pretext to target religious minorities in Odisha. In the first and second weeks of August, reports emerged of attacks on minority working-class individuals, particularly those from neighboring states, in various parts of the state. Incidents have been reported in Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Sambalpur, and Bolangir districts, with many more likely unreported. Local police are reportedly hesitant to intervene, leading to the displacement of hundreds of these workers.
Prior to these incidents, communal tension arose in Balasore over a rumour, just a week after the BJP independently formed its first government in the state. On June 17, when the rumour spread, miscreants threw stones at a mosque, set fire to a house belonging to the same minority group, and a clash between the two communities ensued. Nearly 100 people were arrested, curfew was imposed, and internet services were shut down.
Additionally, reports indicate that many members of the Christian community in the Kandhamal region have been forced to leave their homes under a silent but pervasive threat in the week leading up to Janmashtami (August 26). Despite efforts by local authorities, this exodus continued. The situation was further aggravated by a recent public gathering to commemorate the death of Laxmananda, attended by two state ministers, which heightened tensions in the area.
Laxmananda was killed in August 2008 by cadres of a political party. Following his death, violence erupted in the district, claiming more than 60 lives, rendering thousands homeless, and resulting in the rape of a nun. Instead of demanding a thorough investigation into all the cases related to the violence, the Sangh Parivar has only been demanding an investigation into Laxmananda’s death. If there were a genuine quest for justice, the Central Government could have set up an NIA probe, as they have done in many other cases. The selective demand for an inquiry into Laxmananda’s killing appears to be an attempt to instil fear among the Christian minority.
In another incident, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) selected the campus of Gangadhar Meher University, Sambalpur, (government) to observe its foundation day, with the Vice-Chancellor slated to be the chief guest. However, protests by academicians, writers, and students from the Sambalpur region forced a last-minute change of venue. This is the same place where Professor Nivedita Menon, known for her anti-communal stance, was barred from completing her talk at a university program. The contrast between protesting a secular academician and inviting a communal organization to hold its program highlights the penetration of communal forces in the state.
The Ganatantrik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan (GASS) calls on the people of Odisha to resist these nefarious forces and stand up against the rising communal tensions. GASS condemns the actions of divisive political forces and urges all democratic entities to unite in response. The organization also calls on the state government to take decisive action to restore peace and communal harmony in Odisha.
Dr. Golak Bihari Nath, President
Deba Ranjan, General Secretary
Ganatantrik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan (GASS), Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Email: [email protected]
