Over 25,000 Shia mourners on July 27 participated in a Muharram procession on the traditional route of Gurubazar-Lal Chowk-Dalgate in Srinagar after 33 years. The Lieutenant-Governor’s administration, which lifted the ban, described it as “a peace dividend” and “testimony to normalcy”.
The procession started around 6 a.m. from Gurubazar and culminated peacefully after covering a distance of around 5 km around 11 a.m. at Dalgate. Shia mourners were seen carrying black flags and recalled the sacrifice made by Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Imam Hussain during the Battle of Karbala in the Islamic month of Muharram.
“We have been longing and struggling all these years to carry out the procession. It’s a dream come true,” Amir Jaffar, a Shia mourner, said.
Imran Reza Ansari, president of the All J&K Shia Association, termed the occasion as “a historic milestone”. “The procession was a symbol of faith and unity,” Mr. Ansari said.
Another prominent Shia cleric Masroor Abbas Ansari also welcomed the decision and praised the discipline and regimentation shown by the Shia mourners. “The short time period of 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. offered by the administration for the procession should be reviewed in the future,” Mr. Ansari said.
The L-G administration had put in place stringent security plans and deployed additional security personnel on the route since 2 a.m. to keep an eye on miscreants.
‘Testimony to normalcy’
“I bow to the martyrs of Karbala and recall sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his ideals. Today is a historic occasion for Shia brethren in Kashmir valley as after 34 years eighth Muharram procession is taking place on the traditional route,” L-G Manoj Sinha said.
The L-G said it was also a testimony to change and normalcy in J&K. “The entire world is witnessing the commitment and determination of the government to ensure a peaceful environment, freedom, love, compassion and harmony in society,” he added.
Aijaz Asad, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, said the lifting of the ban was “one of the peace dividends”.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Vijay Kumar, and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Srinagar, Rakesh Balwal, were closely monitoring the procession since the morning. The J&K Police described the decision to allow the procession as “another historic landmark”.
“The shadow of terrorism and petty politics of separatism made it impossible to hold such events. The procession was not taken out for the last 33 years in the aftermath of violence and arson during the event,” a police spokesman said.
Release Mirwaiz, allow Eid prayers at Eidgah: Omar Abdullah
Welcoming the L-G administration’s decision, National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah said, “I would like the administration to take a few more right steps in the right direction to restore actual normalcy in J&K. There should be no restrictions on Friday prayers at the Jama Masjid, Srinagar, and Eid prayers be allowed at Eidgah. Restrictions on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq should also be lifted so that he can fulfil his religious obligations,” Mr. Abdullah said.
