The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has demanded a judicial inquiry into the alleged mismanagement of the Puri Rath Yatra 2025, calling the state government’s handling of the annual chariot festival “chaotic and unacceptable.”
Addressing the media on Saturday, senior Congress leader Prasad Harichandan expressed disappointment over reported lapses in crowd management, security arrangements, and basic amenities during the centuries-old religious procession. They alleged that the government’s negligence posed serious risks to public safety and tarnished the reputation of one of the country’s most revered festivals.
“The Rath Yatra is not just a religious event—it’s a symbol of Odisha’s cultural heritage. Mismanagement at such a scale is an insult to the devotees and a failure of governance,” he added.
The OPCC has urged the state government to establish an impartial judicial probe to examine the administrative shortcomings and identify those responsible. The party emphasised that only a high-level inquiry could ensure accountability and prevent future lapses.
Eyewitness accounts and visuals on social media platforms indicated overcrowding at key locations, inadequate emergency medical services, and breakdowns in logistical coordination. These reports intensified public criticism and sparked political backlash across party lines.
