Tue Oct 21 21:40:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text, along with a brief summary:
Summary:
Civil society organizations in Odisha, India, are urging the government to reschedule or reroute a planned Goddess Kali immersion procession in Cuttack to avoid coinciding with Friday Namaaz at local mosques. This request follows communal tensions during a previous Durga Puja immersion and is motivated by a desire to maintain peace, public order, and inter-community harmony in the city. The organizations emphasize the constitutional rights of all citizens while also highlighting the importance of upholding public order and promoting brotherhood.
News Article:
Odisha Groups Urge Rerouting of Kali Procession to Avoid Mosque Prayer Clash
BHUBANESWAR, October 22, 2025 – Civil society organizations in Odisha are calling on the state government to intervene and alter the planned route and timing of a Goddess Kali immersion procession scheduled for Friday, October 24, in Cuttack. Concerns stem from the procession’s potential overlap with Friday Namaaz at mosques, raising fears of communal tensions.
The appeal comes on the heels of unrest witnessed during a Durga Puja immersion on October 4th. Activists fear a repeat of such incidents. Biswapriya Kanungo, a civil rights activist, stated, “Holding such a procession at the same time could disturb public order, endanger safety, and inflame community sensitivities.”
Pramilla Swain, Chairperson of the National Alliance of Women Organisation (NAWO), Odisha, emphasized the importance of balancing religious freedom with the maintenance of public order. “Cuttack has long been admired for its enduring tradition of communal harmony and brotherhood,” Swain stated. “However, given the current sensitivities, a large-scale procession overlapping with Friday prayers may place undue strain on law and order arrangements and heighten public anxiety.”
The organizations are urging the government to consult with community representatives, local administration, and law enforcement to find a solution that respects all religious practices and ensures public safety. They advocate for either rescheduling the procession or rerouting it to avoid proximity to mosques during prayer times.
“The government should ensure all necessary preventive measures are taken to maintain tranquillity, harmony, and public safety in the city,” the organizations said in a joint statement. “Such action will reaffirm the State government’s steadfast commitment to peace, secular values, and social cohesion, and safeguard Cuttack’s cherished legacy of coexistence and unity.” The government has yet to respond to the appeal.
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