Bhubaneswar: Cuttack, Odisha’s millennium city and its erstwhile capital, is known for its secular culture. One of the times at which it manifests itself is when Muslim artisans work to craft mesmerising backdrops for the deity during Durga Puja. Called “medha” in Odia, these are huge frameworks fashioned out of zari, a play of fine gold and silver. No puja is complete without them.
Their involvement in Durga puja, the biggest cultural celebration of the city that is believed to be 1,000 years old, underlines Cuttack’s famous bhaichara – fraternal love – as something which lies at the core of its existence. No wonder city residents, cutting across class and age divides, were shocked when violence erupted during the immersion of Durga idols in the wee hours of October 4, shattering its communal harmony.
What happened on October 4
The violence saw two groups, one of them including some Muslim boys, fighting a pitched battle with stones and glass bottles. The apparent trigger was the high-decibel DJ music accompanying the Jhanjirimangala Puja Committee’s immersion procession while it was passing through Hatipokhari near Dargah Bazar, an area with Muslim population. Some people reportedly also objected to the selection of songs by the DJ and the “Jai Shri Ram,” slogans raised by those in the procession.
Violence ensued and at least six persons including Deputy Commissioner of Police, Cuttack, Rishikesh Khilari Dnyandeo sustained injuries.
The incident not only disrupted and delayed the Jhanjirimangala Puja Committee’s procession but also that of the Rauspatana Puja Committee which was following behind. Later, police allowed the Rauspatana procession to proceed but Jhanjirimangala members had to wait for a while.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.
