Admin allows Muharram procession through Lal Chowk after three decades
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has decided to allow a Muharram procession from Gurubazaar to Dalgate in the city after a gap of more than three decades.
“There was a long-pending demand from our Shia brothers that the traditional procession on Muharram from Gurubazaar to Dalgate be allowed. It was not allowed for the past 32-33 years. Now the administration has decided to allow the procession. It is a historic step,” Divisional Commissioner Kashmir V K Bhiduri said on Wednesday.
He said the peaceful culmination of tomorrow’s programme will help the administration take similar decisions on other issues.
“If anyone tries to create disturbance under this garb, they will be dealt with strictly,” Bhiduri said.
He said the people of Kashmir have created an atmosphere that has helped the administration to take this historic decision.
“I want to congratulate the Shia brethren and other people of Kashmir. They have created an atmosphere that made it easy for the administration to take this decision. The only difficulty we faced was that tomorrow is a working day. We have restricted the timing of the procession from 6.00 am to 8.00 am so that others are also not inconvenienced,” Bhiduri said.
He said the administration has taken all the necessary steps for the procession.
“Ambulances will be on standby, water will be kept available and buses will be stationed at Dalgate for the mourners. We are hopeful that the procession will pass off peacefully,” he said.
Meanwhile, DC Srinagar in his order said that keeping in view the above; the permission is hereby granted in favour of Yaadgar-i-Hussaini Committee, Kaloo Manzil Mohalla Guru Bazar for taking out Muharram procession on 8th Muharram-1445 from Guru Bazar to Dalgate via Budshah Kadal and M.A Road, Srinagar from 6:00 am to 8:00 am on 27th July, 2023.
“The time window has been finalized in the larger public interest as the procession route encompasses massive business, commercial establishments, movement of ambulances, students, office staff, general passengers, etc,” the order reads.
Meanwhile, the Shia clerics have appealed to people to join the procession in a peaceful manner.
“The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has permitted the Muharram 8 procession after 3 decades. I urge all the Azadars of Imam Hussain (a.s.) to participate in this historical juloos in a peaceful manner, becoming the messengers of Hussain (a.s.) to the whole world. Let our devotion resonate with love and compassion, as we carry the timeless message of Imam Hussain’s sacrifice,” President of J&K Shia Association, Imran Raza Ansari said.
Chairman, Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian Darul Mustafa, Aga Syed Mujatba welcomed the government order and said that they will participate in the procession tomorrow.
“We will carry out the procession as per the timing given by the government,” he said.
