Subhash Sangathan’s unique incense protest against Sofia Firdous over drainage system

The demand for restoration of the CDA Petanala drainage system took a dramatic turn on Sunday as members of Subhash Sangathan staged a unique protest, waving incense sticks before a poster of Barabati–Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous.

According to the organisation, the symbolic act was carried out to highlight the continuing problems faced by residents due to the poor condition of the drain. Protesters accused the MLA of failing to address the restoration issue despite repeated demands over the years.

Concerns Over Persistent Problems at Peta Nala

The protesters said that Petanala continues to remain in a neglected state, causing recurring concerns for residents living nearby. The lack of restoration work, they claimed, has left the area vulnerable to drainage issues and civic inconveniences, making the problem a persistent one for the people of Cuttack.

Demonstrators adopted the unusual method of entering the drain and performing the symbolic act with incense sticks to draw public attention to the issue and urge authorities to take swift action.

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“We learnt this unique form of protest from Mohammed Moquim. For years, Moquim stood on Petanala and staged protests demanding its restoration. He served as MLA for five years, and now his daughter Sofia has been the MLA for the past two years. However, even today, the problem of Petanala persists and remains unresolved. The restoration work has not even begun. We are staging this protest to seek clarification on the promises that were made to the people of Cuttack seven years ago. Why has there been no progress till now? If the restoration work of Petanala does not begin soon, we will intensify our agitation in the future. Whether it is the Mayor or the MLA, Cuttack-Barabati has been devastated. Earlier, people suffered due to water scarcity, and leaders promised that once they come to power, they would make Cuttack free from water problems and resolve the Petanala issue. But even the Cuttack Mayor has now forgotten the matter and has failed to address the problems faced by slum residents,” said a member of Subhash Sangathan.

Call for Immediate Action

The protest once again brought the spotlight on the unresolved Petanala issue, with demonstrators urging authorities to take immediate steps for its restoration and address the long-standing civic concerns of Cuttack residents.