Ritualists clash with rationalists in Odisha over feast during Lunar eclipse
Ritualists clash with rationalists in Odisha over feast during Lunar eclipse
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Berhampur: Tensions flared in Odisha's Berhampur city on Tuesday as 'ritualists' from religious organisations attacked members of a 'rationalist' group for organising a communal feast on the day of the lunar eclipse, prompting police to use lathicharge.
According to sources, the Ganjam district Humanist and Rationalist Organisation (HRO) organised a communal feast near Berhampur City High School, dismissing astrologers' advise to avoid eating cooked food during the moon eclipse as unscientific and incorrect.
They said the feast was organised to raise public awareness of scientific thought and discourage people from following superstitious ideas and blind faiths.
Some organisations, however, fiercely opposed the proposal, claiming that organising a community feast during a lunar eclipse was anti-Hindu.
A significant number of activists from the Brahmin Samaj, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and other organisations rushed the feast venue and tossed cow excrement at the rationalists.
According to sources, the demonstrators then attempted to surge into the venue, ruined the tent erected for the event, and plundered furniture and other things, resulting in a confrontation between the two groups after the rationalists retaliated.
To put the situation under control, a huge number of police officers raced to the scene and used baton charges to disperse the demonstrators. Several persons were also apprehended.
In an effort to restore normalcy, the Additional Superintendent of Police Asim Panda and SDPO Rajiv Lochan Panda spoke with members of both parties.
The situation is currently under control, but it is still stressful. The ASP stated that efforts are being undertaken to restore entire normalcy, for which strong security measures have been implemented.
