Cuttack, Oct 5: Following the unexpected unrest during Durga Puja immersion in Cuttack, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed deep sorrow and concern over the incident, calling it “unfortunate” and “unacceptable” in a city known for its thousand-year-old legacy of brotherhood.

In a tweet, Pradhan stated, “The incident during Durga Puja immersion in Cuttack is extremely saddening. Such events in a city of harmony are not a good sign for the state.”

କଟକରେ ଦୁର୍ଗାପୂଜା ଭସାଣି ବେଳେ ଘଟିଥିବା ଅଭାବନୀୟ ଘଟଣା ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଦୁଃଖର ବିଷୟ । ହଜାର ବର୍ଷର ଭାଇଚାରାର ସହର କଟକରେ ଏଭଳି ଘଟଣା ଘଟିବା ରାଜ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ଶୁଭଙ୍କର ନୁହେଁ ।

ରାଜ୍ୟ ସରକାର ଏହି ସମ୍ବେଦନଶୀଳ ଘଟଣାକୁ ଗୁରୁତର ନେବା ସହ ଦୋଷୀଙ୍କ ବିରୋଧରେ କଠୋର କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାନୁଷ୍ଠାନ ନେବା ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରତିଶ୍ରୁତି ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି ।

ଏହି ସମୟରେ ଆମେ…

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) October 5, 2025

He urged the Odisha government to treat the matter with utmost seriousness and take strict action against those responsible. He also appealed to citizens to maintain restraint and uphold social harmony, emphasizing that preserving Cuttack’s glorious tradition is a collective responsibility.

Also read: Cuttack Internet Shutdown amid Unrest

Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania visited the affected areas to assess the situation firsthand. Accompanied by senior officers, the DGP held discussions and toured the locality to ensure peace is restored.

Khurania firmly stated, “No one should take the law into their own hands,” and appealed to the public to cooperate with the police in maintaining order.

The unrest, which disrupted the festive spirit, has prompted swift administrative response. Security has been tightened, and efforts are underway to prevent further escalation. Community leaders are being engaged to promote dialogue and calm.