The Jammu Kashmir police have lodged an open case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against unknown individuals for allegedly chanting pro-Palestine and anti-Israel slogans during the 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar, Kashmir Observer reported.
The 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar, held for the second consecutive year after a gap of over 30 years, was permitted following negotiations with Shia community representatives.
Beginning in Guru Bazar and concluding at Hussaini Hall Dalgate, the procession featured a significant turnout, with mourners dressed in black and carrying religious banners to commemorate Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Participants waved Palestinian flags in solidarity, and the event concluded peacefully, with no incidents of violence reported. The administration commended the Shia Muslim community for their cooperation in ensuring the procession’s success.
The procession had been banned for 34 years, from the start of the insurgency in Kashmir in 1989 until 2023. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, monitored the procession until its culmination.
A senior police officer confirmed that the administration is closely monitoring the pro-Palestine demonstrations but noted that no formal arrests have yet been made.
An open FIR has been registered at Kothibagh police station under sections 223 and 152 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the UAPA vide the number 36 of 2024, Local news agency Kashmir Dot Com reported.
Efforts are underway to identify individuals who expressed anti-Israel and anti-American sentiments during the procession.
Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhulla Mehdi condemned the police action, labeling it an unwarranted assault on freedom of expression. In a post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), he called for the immediate release of those detained, emphasizing that such expressions support oppressed communities.
Moulana Masroor Ansari in his tweet also condemned the arrests stating, “Despite following all the guidelines of local administration in taking out the 8th Muharram procession peacefully, Harwan police station summoned mourners to the police station for wearing shroud in the procession. JK police should stop harassing mourners on these small pretexts.”
Despite following all the guidelines of local administration in taking out the 8th Muharram procession peacefully, Harwan police station summoned mourners to the police station for wearing shroud in the procession. JK police should stop harassing mourners on these small pretexts.
— Masroor Ansari (@MasroorAnsari) July 16, 2024
In the meantime, the police have urged the public to refrain from activities that could disrupt communal harmony during the sensitive period of Muharram.
This is not the first instance of UAPA charges being filed in connection with the Muharram procession. In August 2021, FIR number 262 was registered under Section 13 of the UAPA at Police Station Budgam.
Additionally, in August 2020, three youths were charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act by the J&K Police. Later, towards the end of August 2021, two more youths faced similar charges.
Several Shia youths were booked under Section 13 of the UAPA, as well as Sections 188 and 269 for violating lockdown orders, and Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act for refusing to comply with official directives.