Thousands of Shias Muslims marched through Srinagar on Thursday for a major religious procession. Permitted in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) for the first time since a ban was imposed decades ago.
Hundreds of Shias mourners on Thursday participated in the Muharram procession. That was taken out on the traditional route from Gurubazar to Dalgate in Srinagar. For the first time in 34 years after the administration lifted the ban.
Following a series of meetings with the stakeholders. The J&K administration on Wednesday lifted the ban on the Muharram procession on the traditional Gurubazar-Dalgate route. About 25,000 persons participated in the procession, police said.
The administration granted two-hour permission for the procession from 6 am to 8 am. When three-tier security arrangements were made across Srinagar.
Welcoming the decision of LG Manoj Sinha led administration to lift the ban on 8th Muharram procession. President J&K Anjuman-e-Sharie Shiayan Dar-al-Mustafa Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi al-Safavi said that he looks forward to a similar ban revocation for the joint Jaloos-r-Ashura from Abiguzar to Zadibal on its traditional route.
“It is informed with great faith and gratitude. That the 33 years of struggle and sacrifices of Azadars of Jammu and Kashmir have reclaimed our legitimate right to take out a peaceful mourning procession,” Aga Syed Hassan said
“The Azadars are requested to participate widely, and the pledge is to remain peaceful and fully dedicated to Imam-e-Mazloom, Imam Hussain Alihe Salam and the Martyrs of Karbala in letter and spirit,” he added.
History of Ban
Some small Muharram processions have been permitted in the occupied territory. Since the 1990 ban but often ended violently. With mourners shouting slogans demanding independence and government forces dispersing crowds with tear gas and pellet-gun fire.
Shia Muslims are a minority in mostly Sunni Kashmir. But authorities believe they account for at least 10 percent of the region’s population of nearly 14 million.
Muharram is one of Islam’s holiest months. When Muslims across the world take out processions to mourn the martyrdom of Husayn Ibn Ali al-Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad SAW. Who died in 680 AD at the Battle of Karbala, which is in present-day Iraq.
Thursday’s procession was held for the first time in 34 years. After authorities in India’s only Muslim-majority region banned it in 1989. When a popular rebellion against New Delhi’s rule began in the Kashmir Valley.
