SAMBALPUR: After a one-year hiatus, Sambalpur is gearing up to celebrate the Hanuman Jayanti procession on a grand scale. An integral part of the city’s religious and cultural identity for nearly four decades, the festival will be celebrated with renewed vigour this year despite the memories of the violence that disrupted the event in 2023.
Addressing mediapersons on Wednesday, Sambalpur MLA and president of Hanuman Jayanti Samanwaya Samiti Jayanarayan Mishra vowed to make this year’s procession a historic and unifying event while ensuring peace and security.
Recalling the violent incidents of 2023, Mishra alleged that the riots were sponsored by the then BJD government to defame the Hanuman Jayanti procession and instill fear among devotees. However, the people of Sambalpur remained resilient and determined to continue their tradition. “This year, our goal is to make the Hanuman Jayanti procession a grand celebration that will unite people across languages, cultures and castes going beyond politics. We want lakhs of devotees to participate in the event, making it a family affair,” he said.
Highlighting the origin of Hanuman Jayanti procession in 1987, the BJP MLA said an attack on a small procession led to the formation of Hanuman Jayanti Samanwaya Samiti. Since then, the event has become a significant occasion for the people of Sambalpur and a symbol of devotion, resistance and unity.
Mishra also raised concerns about the presence of illegal immigrants in the city, claiming that over 10,000 Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators are residing in Sambalpur Municipal Corporation area. “They have encroached on public spaces in the city. These groups are responsible for the rising crime and illegal activities such as drug trafficking, gambling and extortion. They control scrap business, garages and meat shops. At least 3,000 cattle are slaughtered every month because of them. They are behind 20 per cent of the crimes in the city,” he alleged.
The MLA said the Hanuman Jayanti Samanwaya Samiti is actively working to raise public awareness about the infiltrators and pressurise administration to take legal action against them.
On April 6, the city will celebrate the Ram Navami festival at various temples followed by a massive motorcycle rally. The celebration will culminate on April 14 with a grand Hanuman Jayanti procession involving different groups from all localities of the city. The procession will also witness performance by different Akhada committees of the city.
Mishra said, “We are a peace loving community. We will ensure that the peace and harmony of Sambalpur is not disrupted in anyway.”
Meet to ensure peaceful celebration
A meeting was held at the Zilla Parishad conference hall here on Wednesday to ensure smooth and peaceful celebration of Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti this year.
The peace and coordination committee meeting was attended by senior officials who assured that all necessary arrangements have been put in place and urged citizens to celebrate the festival with unity and peace.
IG, Northern Range Himanshu Lal informed that drones and CCTV cameras would be deployed to monitor the processions while a high-level integrated control room would oversee the security.
Security officials stressed responsible use of social media, advising citizens to avoid spreading rumours.
They also urged mutual respect among communities and strict adherence to administrative orders.
Law enforcement agencies were directed to take immediate action against any anti-social activity. Citizens were encouraged to report suspicious incidents to the police.
Among others, RDC (North) Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, Sambalpur SP Mukesh Bhamoo, SMC commissioner, Vedbhushan and CDMO Sujata Rani Mishra were present.