By Mohan Kumar
Odisha has been in the headlines for the past few months as reports of mob lynchings and hate crimes have been continuously emerging from this BJP-ruled state. This has raised questions about the state’s law and order situation and the protection of minority rights. In one case, a Muslim man was beaten to death on charges of cow smuggling, while in another, a migrant worker was lynched on the suspicion of being an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant.
The Quint examines the lynching incidents in Odisha over the past few months to understand how and why the violence is increasing, and who is behind these incidents.
Incident 1: Lynching of a Muslim man in Sambalpur
For 26-year-old Manori Bibi, the morning of 14 January is like a nightmare. Her eyes fill with tears as she remembers that day. Her family is still in shock. In Odisha’s Balasore district, 35-year-old Sheikh Makandar Mohammad was allegedly beaten to death by people on suspicion of cow smuggling . Sheikh Makandar worked as a mason and his wages supported the family.
Speaking to The Quint, Manori Bibi said, “I received a call from Basti at 6:30 in the morning. That’s when I learned that he (Makandar) had been assaulted and was admitted to the hospital. We then went to the hospital, we were told that his condition was very serious.”
The lynching of Sheikh Makandar in early 2026 has raised questions about the law and order in Odisha This is the latest and the third incident of lynching in the last five months.
This story was originally published in thequint.com. Read the full story here.
