Anantnag’s Eid Gah, which historically witnesses one of the largest congregations in south Kashmir was locked down by the Wakf board, despite the earlier announcement of the Jamia Masjid committee to offer prayers at the Eid Gah.
Speaking to The Kashmiriyat, a resident of Panzath village in Qazigund said that several people from his village and adjoining villages booked three vehicles and reached the Eid Gah, however, they were left in confusion when they saw no arrangements at Eid Gah Anantnag.
“The Jamia Masjid committee had announced prayers at Eid Gah at 7 30 AM, more than a week back. However, this abrupt change was not communicated to anyone,” Bashir Ahmed Sheikh said.
People had reached with their prayer mats and wearing fine dresses, however, the empty ground and an abruptly changed decision left them all in disarray, residents said.
Another local from Monghal, Arif Ahmed Dar said that several people from his village too reached the Eid Gah to find its gates shut. “We do not understand this confusing state of affairs. If the Wakf board had to change the plans, they should have informed people earlier. Such mockery of an established system is just an example of how things in Kashmir are right now,” he said.
Members of the Jamia Masjid committee too feigned ignorance on the issue. “We do not understand who changed the decision in such a rush and why,” a member of the committee said.
He alleged that a few members of the committee were called in by the authorities and ordered to change the timings and the venue of the Eid Prayers.