On July 27, 2023, more than three decades after the outbreak of the militancy, the Shia community in Srinagar took out a Muharram procession passing through the Lal Chowk with thousands of people participating in it with tight security.
The state administration, on July 26, 2023, allowed a two-hour window, from 8 am to 6 am for the procession. Mourners filled the streets as they peacefully marched onto Guru Bazar to Dalgate Route, carrying flags and chanting in unison. However, the procession went on beyond the two-hour window panel.
A large number of Shia mourners assembled at the Guru Bazaar in Srinagar at 5:30 am for the eighth procession Amid the praises for the Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, thumping their chests and recitation of praises for Imam Hussain while walking peacefully through the streets of Guru Bazar Area to the city and passed through Budshah Chowk to MA Road and then Dalgate peacefully. The mourners were also carrying tall flags of Hazrat Imam Hussain.
“We are very grateful to the LG administration for allowing us to take out a procession after such a long gap. This is indeed a pleasure and a great moment for us,’ said a mourner, The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir remembered the sacrifices of Hazrat Imama Hussain and the martyrs of Karbala.
Remarks by the Lieutenant Governor
In a statement, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha said, “I bow to the martyrs of Karbala recall the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his ideals. Today is a historic occasion for Shai brethren in Kashmir Valley after 34 years. The 8th Muharram procession will take place from Guru Bazar to Dalgate.”
“For 34 years, the Muharram procession was banned in the traditional route. We respect the sentiments of the Shia brethren, and I assure the community that the administration will always stand by them. It is also a testimony to change and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (UT).”
“Today, 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.
“It is an occasion to reaffirm our commitment to peace and dedicate ourselves to the progress and prosperity of the J&K Union territory. Several historic decisions have seen the light of day in a few years, and a peaceful J&K has emerged on the horizon. Let us strengthen our bonds and unity,” the LG said.
Response from the Political and Religious leaders
Meanwhile, the Hurriyat Conference leader and the President of Ittehadul Muslimeen, Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari, today acknowledged that the situation in Kashmir is peaceful. Speaking to reporters during the 8th Muharram procession that was allowed by the government after 34 years by the government, the son of a former Hurriyat leader said that the allowing of the procession by the government shows and signals that there is peace in J&K.
“The procession conveys the message that the situation is peaceful here and the government should not suspect that any sectarian clashes will take place or that the anti-national elements will seek political benefits from it and nor should any political party take advantage of that,” he said.
“It is a peaceful mourners procession, and it also emphasises that restrictions should be lifted from the 10th Muharram procession and the restrictions on offering Friday prayers at the Jamia Masjid should also be lifted,” he demanded.
Ansari said that the government’s decision demonstrates that the Shia community is peaceful and capable of launching and conducting the procession with ease and discipline, “Today, we have shown that we can handle the procession in a better way.”
Comments from government officials
The Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Vijay Kumar said a security review meeting was held in Srinagar yesterday in which it was decided to allow the 8th Muharram procession through traditional routes. Officers and men were deployed on the roads at 2 am to ensure the peaceful conduct of the procession was going on peacefully.
The Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, Muhammad Aijaz Asad, said that holding the procession was one of the dividends of peace adding that the mourners cooperated.
The SMC Mayor Junaid Azim Mattoo said it is a display of faith after a long time on the streets of Srinagar, and he thanked the LG administration for the historic decision. “Mourners are walking peacefully, and I hope that the restrictions will be lifted on 10th Muharram, which is also called Ashura, he said.
