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{{short description|October 2025 disturbances in Cuttack, Odisha, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2025 Cuttack violence
| partof = [[Religious violence in Odisha]]
| image = 
| caption = Police personnel on vigil in Cuttack following violence (October 2025)
| date = 4–7 October 2025
| place = [[Cuttack]], [[Odisha]], [[India]]
| causes = Clash during [[Durga Puja]] idol immersion procession
| result = Curfew and internet suspension imposed; 30 arrests
| side1 = Local residents, procession participants
| side2 = [[Odisha Police]]
| methods = Stone-pelting, arson, public disorder
| casualties1 = 25 civilians injured (approx.)
| casualties2 = 8 police personnel injured
| arrests = At least 30 people<ref name="Rediff19"/>
| status = Curfew lifted on 7 October 2025
}}
'''2025 Cuttack violence''' was a series of incidents of violence and public disorder that took place in [[Cuttack]], [[Odisha]], India, in early October 2025. The clashes began during [[Durga Puja]] idol immersion processions in the Dargah Bazar and Haathi Pokhari localities and led to injuries to police and civilians, arson, the imposition of curfew orders, and temporary suspension of internet services across the city.<ref name="HT2025">{{Cite web |last=Mohanty |first=Debabrata |title=Curfew in parts of Cuttack, internet suspended after violence during Durga idol immersion |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cuttack-tense-after-violence-during-durga-idol-immersion-internet-shut-down-vhp-calls-bandh-101759674689007.html |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=6 October 2025 |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="ET2025">{{Cite web |title=Cuttack violence: What happened in Dargah Bazaar that led to clashes, 25 injured and curfew orders |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/cuttack-violence-what-happened-in-dargha-bazaar-that-led-to-clashes-25-injured-and-curfew-orders/articleshow/124329816.cms |website=[[The Economic Times]] |date=6 October 2025 |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="TOI2025">{{Cite web |title=Cuttack tense again: Fresh incidents of violence after Durga idol immersion clash; 24-hour internet shutdown |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cuttack-tense-again-fresh-incidents-of-violence-after-durga-idol-immersion-clash-24-hour-internet-shutdown/articleshow/124322181.cms |website=[[The Times of India]] |date=6 October 2025 |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref>

== Background ==
[[Cuttack]], known as Odisha's former capital and often referred to as the "Millennium City", has long been recognised for its pluralistic culture where communities jointly participate in [[Durga Puja]] festivities.<ref name="Wire7">{{Cite web |last=Sahu |first=S.N. |date=8 October 2025 |title=Manufactured Communal Clash During Durga Puja Threatens Odisha's Secular Legacy |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/manufactured-communal-clash-during-durga-puja-threatens-odishas-secular-legacy |access-date=13 October 2025 |website=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]}}</ref><ref name="Wire1">{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Ashutosh |date=7 October 2025 |title=Why Cuttack, a '1000-Year-Old' Symbol of Amity, Saw Communal Violence Last Weekend |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/cuttack-brotherhood-bhaichara-communal-violence-vhp-internet |access-date=13 October 2025 |website=The Wire}}</ref>

== Timeline ==
=== 4 October 2025: Initial clashes ===
According to multiple reports, violence first broke out between 1:30 a.m. and 2 a.m. on 4 October 2025 near Haathi Pokhari in the Dargah Bazar area during an idol immersion procession organised by the Jhanjirimangala Bhagabat Puja Committee.<ref name="ET2025"/><ref name="HTDesk">{{Cite web |date=6 October 2025 |title=What is happening in Cuttack? Curfew, internet cut, social media ban in Odisha district over violent clashes |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-is-happening-in-cuttack-curfew-internet-cut-social-media-ban-odisha-violence-101759699641763-amp.html |access-date=13 October 2025 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref name="Hindu15">{{Cite web |last=Barik |first=Satyasundar |title=36-hour curfew imposed in parts of Odisha's Cuttack over communal tensions |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha/cuttack-odisha-violence-durga-puja-idol-immersion-vhp-bandh-call/article70128581.ece |website=[[The Hindu]] |date=5 October 2025 |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref>

Police said that clashes began after some locals allegedly objected to loud music played during the procession. Stones and glass bottles were reportedly thrown from rooftops, injuring at least six persons, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Rishikesh Khilari Dnyandeo.<ref name="TOI2025"/><ref name="OrissaPost2025">{{Cite web |title=Fresh violence in Cuttack; Odisha govt suspends internet for 24 hours |url=https://www.orissapost.com/fresh-violence-in-cuttack-odisha-govt-suspends-internet-for-24-hours/ |website=[[Orissa Post]] |date=5 October 2025 |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="IndianExpress12">{{Cite web |last=Bisoyi |first=Sujit |title=Fresh violence and arson rock Cuttack; govt imposes 24-hour social media ban |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fresh-violence-and-arson-rock-cuttack-govt-imposes-12-hour-social-media-ban-10289906/ |website=[[The Indian Express]] |date=6 October 2025 |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref>

=== 5 October 2025: Fresh violence and curfew ===
Fresh incidents occurred on Sunday, 5 October, when police attempted to prevent a motorcycle rally held in support of the [[Vishva Hindu Parishad|VHP]]’s call for a citywide bandh. The confrontation led to stone-pelting and arson near Gourishankar Park, leaving about 25 people injured, including eight police officers.<ref name="Hindu14">{{Cite web |date=6 October 2025 |title=Cuttack violence: Eight arrested; bandh under way amid heavy security |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha/cuttack-violence-eight-arrested-bandh-under-way-amid-heavy-security/article70130693.ece |access-date=13 October 2025 |website=The Hindu}}</ref><ref name="IE12">{{Cite web |last=Bisoyi |first=Sujit |title=Fresh violence and arson rock Cuttack; govt imposes 24-hour social media ban |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fresh-violence-and-arson-rock-cuttack-govt-imposes-12-hour-social-media-ban-10289906/ |website=The Indian Express|date=6 October 2025|access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="TOI2025"/>

Authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in 13 police station limits and suspended internet services from 7 p.m. on 5 October for 24 hours to prevent the spread of “provocative and inflammatory messages.”<ref name="HT2025"/><ref name="Hindu15"/><ref name="ET2025"/> A 36-hour curfew began at 10 p.m. the same night, restricting movement in affected areas.<ref name="Hindu16">{{Cite web |date=7 October 2025 |title=Curfew relaxed in Cuttack; restrictions still in place |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha/curfew-relaxed-in-violence-hit-cuttack-restrictions-still-in-place/article70134466.ece |access-date=13 October 2025 |website=The Hindu}}</ref>

=== 6–7 October 2025: Arrests and restoration of order ===
Police arrested at least eight persons linked to the Sunday violence and six connected with the earlier procession clashes.<ref name="IndianExpress10">{{Cite web |last=Bisoyi |first=Sujit |date=7 October 2025 |title=8 arrested over Cuttack violence; 36-hour curfew ordered |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/8-arrested-over-cuttack-violence-36-hour-curfew-ordered-10290746/ |access-date=13 October 2025 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref name="Hindu14"/><ref name="TNI">{{Cite web |last=Rodrigues |first=Suman |title=Curfew lifted in Cuttack; No curfew in Balasore |url=https://enewsinsight.com/curfew-lifted-in-cuttack-no-curfew-in-balasore/ |website=The News Insight |date=7 October 2025 |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref>
The curfew was lifted on 7 October after 36 hours of calm, while internet services were gradually restored later that evening.<ref name="Telegraph">{{Cite web |last=Mohanty |first=Subhashish |title=Curfew lifted in Cuttack as calm returns after communal clashes, internet restored |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/cuttack-violence-curfew-lifted-internet-restored-as-city-returns-to-normalcy-prnt/cid/2126658 |website=[[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]] |date=8 October 2025 |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref>

== Government and political responses ==
Chief Minister [[Mohan Charan Majhi]] appealed for peace, describing Cuttack as a “thousand-year-old city known for its brotherhood,” and directed police to take strict action against offenders.<ref name="TOI2025"/><ref name="Hindu15"/><ref name="IndianExpress12"/>
Leaders from across political parties expressed concern over the violence. [[Naveen Patnaik]] of the [[Biju Janata Dal]] condemned the incidents and called for restoration of harmony and accountability.<ref name="Wire1"/><ref name="IndianExpress13">{{Cite web |last=Bisoyi |first=Sujit |date=8 October 2025 |title=Cuttack calm shattered after 30 yrs, VHP in the mix, Odisha CM Majhi faces heat |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/cuttack-calm-shattered-30-yrs-vhp-odisha-cm-majhi-10294390/ |access-date=13 October 2025 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref>

On 10 October, Odisha Minister [[Prithviraj Harichandan]] stated that the state administration had “handled the situation well,” noting that normalcy had returned to Cuttack.
He also criticised comments by West Bengal Chief Minister [[Mamata Banerjee]], describing them as “irresponsible” and potentially provocative.
Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Central Division) Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, who reviewed the situation on 7 October with senior police and district officials, said that anyone taking the law into their own hands would face legal action and emphasised the need for communal harmony.
Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh reported that curfew measures and security deployments had helped restore order and that no fresh violence had occurred after 5 October.<ref name="ANI10">{{Cite news |title=Odisha government handled Cuttack violence incident well, says Prithviraj Harichandan |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/odisha-government-handled-cuttack-violence-incident-well-says-prithviraj-harichandan20251010090333 |work=[[Asian News International]] |date=10 October 2025 |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref>

Beyond Odisha, West Bengal Chief Minister [[Mamata Banerjee]] criticised the violence, alleging that the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) and affiliated groups such as the [[Bajrang Dal]] were attempting to disrupt communal harmony in Odisha.
The Odisha government dismissed her remarks as “unbecoming” of a Chief Minister and urged her to focus on law and order in her own state.<ref name="Hindu17"/>

== Aftermath ==
As of 10 October 2025, police reported 30 arrests connected to both the 4 October and 5 October incidents.<ref name="Rediff19">{{Cite web |title=Police conduct flag march in Cuttack ahead of mass prayer |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/police-conduct-flag-march-in-cuttack-ahead-of-mass-prayer/20251010.htm |website=[[Rediff.com]] |date=10 October 2025 |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="Hindu17">{{Cite web |last=Barik |first=Satyasundar |date=10 October 2025 |title=BJP Govt in Odisha reacts sharply to W.B. CM's comment on Cuttack communal violence |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha/bjp-govt-in-odisha-reacts-sharply-to-wb-cms-comment-on-cuttack-communal-violence/article70144393.ece |access-date=13 October 2025 |website=The Hindu}}</ref>
Security forces remained deployed in sensitive localities such as Dargah Bazar and [[Qadam e Rasool, Cuttack|Qadam Rasool]], and police warned of legal action against the spread of rumours on social media.<ref name="Rediff19"/>

Additional reports in the week following the clashes described a separate incident in Khuntuni, about 26 km from Cuttack, where two Muslim youths were allegedly assaulted and paraded with saffron flags by a group of right-wing activists on 6 October.
A video of the incident surfaced online on 13 October, prompting a police inquiry.
According to [[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]], local police confirmed that an investigation had been initiated after the video went viral, while political leaders and civil society groups expressed concern over rising communal tensions in the state.<ref name="TelegraphParade">{{Cite news |last=Mohanty |first=Subhashish |date=13 October 2025 |title=Muslim youths paraded with saffron flags in Odisha, probe ordered after video surfaces |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/muslim-youths-paraded-with-saffron-flags-in-odisha-amid-rising-communal-violence-prnt/cid/2127483 |website=The Telegraph |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref>

In the days following the lifting of the curfew, Commissionerate Police organised peace committee meetings across Cuttack ahead of upcoming festivals such as [[Kali Puja]], [[Kartikeya|Kartikeshwar Puja]], and [[Bali Jatra]].
According to [[The New Indian Express]], these meetings brought together community leaders, representatives of puja and mosque committees, market associations, and local officials to promote harmony and prevent further disturbances.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rishikesh Khilari stated that the initiative aimed to reinforce mutual respect and ensure peaceful celebrations in the wake of the recent violence.<ref name="NIEPeace">{{Cite news |title=Violence aftermath: Police hold peace meetings in Cuttack for festivals ahead |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2025/Oct/13/violence-aftermath-police-hold-peace-meetings-in-cuttack-for-festivals-ahead |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=13 October 2025 |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref>

=== Analysis and commentary ===
According to a report by [[India Today]], the Cuttack violence, along with a night curfew in Balasore and a political killing in Berhampur, led to widespread concern about law and order in Odisha during the festive season.
The magazine described how what began as a dispute over loud music during a Durga Puja immersion procession in Cuttack escalated into one of the city’s most serious communal disturbances in decades.
It noted that the unrest, coupled with preventive restrictions in other districts, had raised questions about the state government’s capacity to manage inter-community tensions and maintain public confidence.<ref name="IndiaTodayFear">{{Cite news |last=Majumdar |first=Arkamoy Datta |date=12 October 2025 |title=How Odisha's festive season turned into one of fear |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/how-odishas-festive-season-turned-into-one-of-fear-2801788-2025-10-12 |work=[[India Today]] |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref> Local MLA [[Sofia Firdous]], also accused for raising "Pakistan Zindabad" slogans in past<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2025-05-25 |title=Two held in Odisha for making, sharing video supporting Pakistan |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2025/May/25/two-held-in-odisha-for-making-sharing-video-supporting-pakistan |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhattacharya |first=Oishani |date=2024-06-12 |title=Sofia Firdous victory rally in Cuttack: Slogans in name of 'Sofia Didi', 'Moquim Bhai' peddled as 'Pakistan Zindabad' |url=https://www.altnews.in/sofia-firdous-victory-rally-in-cuttack-slogans-in-name-of-sofia-didi-moquim-bhai-peddled-as-pakistan-zindabad/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=Alt News |language=en-GB}}</ref>, stayed silent at first leading to further disonace among the citizens.

Writing in ''[[The Hindu]]'', academic and columnist Shaikh Mujibur Rehman argued that the violence marked “a setback to Odisha’s secular ethos” and reflected growing social polarisation under the Bharatiya Janata Party government. He compared the 2025 Cuttack clashes to earlier communal disturbances in the State — including Bhadrak (2024) and Kandhamal (2008) — and observed that despite Odisha’s relatively small Muslim population, the city of Cuttack had historically maintained strong traditions of coexistence. <ref name="HinduOped">{{Cite news |last=Rehman |first=Shaikh Mujibur |date=27 October 2025 |title=A setback to Odisha's secular ethos |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-setback-to-odishas-secular-ethos/article70205331.ece |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[2023 Manipur violence]]
* [[2022 Khargone violence]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:2025 riots]]
[[Category:2020s in Odisha]]
[[Category:Cuttack]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in India]]
[[Category:Religiously motivated violence in India]]

2025 Cuttack violence - Revision history

Vitelglobal at 20:25, 5 March 2026