Yesterday was a historic day in Jammu and Kashmir. After three decades of the ban, a Muharram procession was taken out amid cheers, chest-thumping, and remembrance of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
For the first time after a long wait of 34 years, eight Muharram processions have been taken out through the traditional route along Srinagar's Guru Bazar and Lal Chowk. It is clear from this that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is slowly changing. The situation seems to be normalizing there.
The procession is taken out with peace and religious devotion
Hundreds of people participated in the procession taken out by the Shia community. Everyone was wearing black clothes. No political slogan was raised, and no one shouted pro-independence or anti-national slogans. The flags and posters of the separatists were nowhere to be seen. The procession was taken out with complete peace and religious devotion.
The administration had fixed a time of 6 am to 8 am to take out the procession, but it was allowed till 11 am considering the number and condition of the devotees. On the other hand, the people of Kashmir lauded the administration for lifting the ban on Muharram processions from the traditional route.
Procession is taken out through these routes
One of the largest Muharram processions in Kashmir, the procession passed peacefully through Jahangir Chowk, Badshah Chowk, Central Telegraph Office, Maulana Azad Road, and culminated at Dalgate. On the instructions of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the state administration allowed the Tajiya of Muharram for the first time since 1988 to be taken out on its traditional route from Guru Bazar near the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar towards Civil Lines to Dalgate.
This condition was kept for taking out the procession
The administration had already placed a condition before the Yadgar-e-Hussain Committee, the organizer of the procession, that there should be no politics or anti-national sloganeering during this period. Its effect was also visible in the procession. Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ejaz also participated in the procession.
Several senior police officers including Kashmir ADGP Vijay Kumar and Srinagar SSP Rakesh Balwal were seen taking stock of the security arrangements.
Why was the ban on Muharram processions imposed?
Eight Muharram processions were banned in Kashmir after 1988. Given the situation in Kashmir, due to the death of the then dictator President of Pakistan Zia-ul-Haq during Muharram in the year 1989, eight Muharram processions were not allowed to be taken out.
In the 1990s, a period of terrorist violence and separatism began. In the procession, instead of Shia devotees, there were more supporters of the terrorist organization JKLF and former chairman of Hurriyat Maulvi Abbas Ansari. Sectarian violence also started in the procession.
Separatist politics used to take place under the guise of a procession
To stop the separatist politics from taking place in the guise of the Muharram procession, the administration banned the procession in Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas. Despite this, supporters of JKLF and Ansari forcibly took out processions raising provocative slogans, and had violent clashes with the police.
Muharram processions were banned given the increasing incidents of violence. Until 1988, the eight Muharram processions started from Guru Bazar, passing through Hari Singh High Street, Lal Chowk, Barbarshah, Navapora, and Khanyar, and culminated at the Imambara in Hasanabad.
Later its route was changed to Anjuman-e-Haidaria Dalgate via MA Road. Whereas, now after 34 years the situation has changed there and a peaceful procession was taken out. People praised the administration.
The era of terrorist violence and separatism is over
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that today is a historic day for the Shia brothers in Kashmir. Muharram procession has been taken out from Guru Bazar to Dalgate after 34 years, as the era of terrorist violence and separatism is over in Kashmir, the forces trying to destroy Kashmir in the name of religion have failed.
This is the proof of normal situation in the state. Due to the historic decision taken in the last few years, a peaceful Jammu and Kashmir has emerged on the horizon today. I bow to the martyrs of Karbala. I assure the Shia brothers that the administration will always stand by them.
Why is Muharram celebrated?
Muharram has special significance for the religion of Islam. The new year of Islam begins with the month of Muharram. It is also called Hijri. There is a religious belief behind the observance of Muharram that Muharram, the festival of mourning, is celebrated in memory of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain. On this day the followers of Hazrat Imam Hussain mourn in the memory of Imam Hussain by troubling themselves.
Shias celebrate Muharram in memory of his martyrdom. Imam Hussain was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who was considered a martyr in the Battle of Karbala. According to Islamic belief, in Karbala, Iraq, in 61 Hijri (680 AD), Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, along with his 72 companions, died on the battlefield of Karbala. I was martyred.
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