Locals Urge Authorities to Allow Muharram Processions in Kashmir

Srinagar: Several political leaders and members of the Shi’a community have urged the authorities in Kashmir to allow the ritualistic processions during the ongoing Muharram commemoration that have been restricted for years now.

The first 10 days of Muharram, which mark the beginning of the new Islamic year, hold great significance amongst the Shi’a community who also commemorate the death of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Hussain Ibn Ali during the Battle of Karbala (a city in modern Iraq) in the year 680 AD.

The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have banned large-scale processions in the valley in view of the security situation for the last three decades fearing that such a gathering could result in a law and order situation. The Muharram procession was for the first time banned in the year 1986 and in the wake of the outbreak of insurgency, the ban continued.

Mayor of Srinagar Junaid Azim Mattu said that the time is right for the administration to allow these processions as there is normalcy in the region.

“The proof of the pudding lies in the eating; it does not lie in the rhetoric. The proof of normalcy is the indication of normalcy. There is normalcy and it is not a myth so the processions should be allowed. The administration should not be over cautious with regards to the community,” Mattu told reporters in Srinagar. 

A senior police officer posted in Srinagar told NewsClick that a decision is yet to be taken in this regard and will be taken after deliberations at the top level.

The community members argued that there are so many events being held in the region and even the Amarnath Yatra is ongoing smoothly and therefore the restrictions on Muharram rallies are “simply unjust”.

Several representatives and Shi’a leaders have held a round of meetings with the administration including on Saturday regarding the arrangements for the ongoing event. Senior administrative officials including the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Friday visited areas including Imambara Zadibal, Imambara Hassanabad and Imambara Magam to review facilities for smooth observation of Muharram congregations and other related events.

Many leaders said that they are hopeful that the administration in Srinagar will remove restrictions on the procession mainly on the 8th and 10th day which are regarded as key to the observing of the commemoration. Many, however, continue to remain apprehensive.

“We do not require anything from the government. We don’t require any arrangements from them as we would like to do it and practice it according to our own rituals. We only request the government to allow us to observe Muharram. It has been so many years and we are fed up,” a Shi’a leader Abid Hussain Ansari was quoted in a local news outlet.

The authorities have banned processions on several routes including in the heart of the Downtown Srinagar and Abi Guzar and Dalgate areas despite attempts by mourners in the previous years that were foiled.

“These are not the days of celebration but mourning and we are being denied carrying out our religious duties year after year and there is no recourse in the present times,” a member of the community from Srinagar’s Rainawari locality said.