Irshad Hussain
The Jammu Kashmir administration gave a nod to traditional Muharram processions in Kashmir putting an end to a 3-decade Muharram ban.
Eighth Muharram and Ashoora processions were banned in 1989 when the armed struggle began against Indian rule in Kashmir.
Since then, the government would impose a strict curfew to prevent Shia mourners from taking out these Muharram processions.
The 8th Muharram procession was traditionally initiated from Abiguzar to Dalgate, Srinagar, under the leadership of Molvi Mohammed Abass Ansari.
According to the mourners, huge participation was seen during the procession. After the ban on the procession, every year mourners would break curfew orders and would be beaten by government forces.
In a similar manner, the 10th Muharram Ashoora procession, which was traditionally taken out from Abiguzar passing through Lalchowk, was held under the banner of Shia Association one year while on the other year, was taken out under the leadership of Anjuman Shari e Shian.
This Ashoora Procession in Lalchowk had also been banned since 1990. And every year government would impose a tight curfew on the mourners and ban the procession.
However, the former state governments had cited fear of militant attacks as a reason for the restrictions, Shia leaders in the erstwhile state, such as Molvi Mohammad Abbas Ansari, complained that the restrictions were discriminatory and impinge them of their religious rights.
Every year 8th and 10th Muharram processions would often witness massive clashes with the government forces in the region.
Why Were Muharram Processions Banned?
Since the outbreak of anti-Indian sentiment in the region, the successive governments had apprehensions that these processions would add to the anti-Indian sentiment. And the government decided to ban Muharram processions in Lalchowk, which many times created anti-Indian sentiments.
As per the initial history of the procession, when the massive procession reached Budshah Chowk, it was joined by militant commanders including Hameed Shiekh, one of the members of the famous HAJY group. The procession marched through MA Road raising “pro-freedom” slogans and culminated at Dalgate.
Since then, the Government of Jammu Kashmir has never allowed the Muharram procession. It was banned the very next year by the then governor, Jagmohan.
Shia leaders in Kashmir always termed the ban unjustified and called it as an attack on religious freedom. However, after a gap of 30 years, the administration gave a nod to these processions and said that this year’s processions would be taken out on traditional routes.
Imran Ansari, in a tweet, said that their party Shia Association welcomed the government’s move and offered to jointly coordinate with Anjuman Shari e Shian in the procession.
Kashmir Reacts to the Order
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi termed this decision a kind of conspiracy adding that if the Friday prayers and other major religious functions (across all religions) continue to be banned and this particular procession suddenly encouraged in isolation, “In that case, I see nefarious designs behind it.”
President of Anjuman Sharie Shian, Agha Syed Mohammad Hadi, told The Kashmiriyat that if Friday prayers were not allowed in the historic Jamia masjid for years, “Why would the government lift a ban all of a sudden? Even gatherings are not allowed. How can they allow a particular community to perform religious rituals? I sense conspiracy behind it,” Aga said.
Scores of Shia social media users termed this move a nefarious design on the part of the government.
Islamic scholar Aga Abid Hussaini lashed out at the recent decision of lifting the 30 years Muharram ban by the government. He said that despite tight restrictions, Shia-Sunni Coordination Committee would take out these processions. “Today stress should be laid on the unity of Shia Sunni, through which anti-Islamic forces can be defeated,” he said.
Allowing the main Muharram procession from Abi guzar after 30yr of the ban and ban on Friday prayers at Srinagar historical Jamia masjid from last 2yr, seems some vast elements are now trying to do it for there vote bank, Govt should first lift the ban on Friday prayers Jamia masjid Srinagar, Raza Mehdi, a Twitter user wrote.
Another Twitter user, echoing the leadership said, “Not allowing d Muharram procession in normalcy & allowing it in COVID times is idiotic, illogical, irresponsible and condemnable. Is it a conspiracy to expose us to risk n see us die of d virus OR is d decision itself a virus to infect d whole Muslim ummah in Kashmir?”