Dozens of #ShiaMuslims were taken into preventive detention, amid heavy restrictions when they tried to take out a #Muharram procession.
Dozens of Shia Muslims were taken into preventive custody when they tried to take out a Muharram procession amid heavy restrictions levied in eight police stations in Srinagar on Sunday.
See this video:
@kashgraphs #kashgraphs #mufeedhilal #kashmir #muharram #procession #2022 #Srinagar
Muharram Procession Held At Kathi Darwaza Srinagar.
Video 📸 @mufeed_hilal for @kashgraphs #kashgraphs #mufeedhilal #kashmir #muharram #procession #2022 #Srinagar pic.twitter.com/HsoF0qhAet
— KASHGRAPHS (@kashgraphs) August 6, 2022
The authorities had deployed heavy security forces and many roads were barricaded in parts of Srinagar city to prevent Shia Muslims from taking out the Muharram procession today. The Shia Muslims who were supposed to take out the 8th-day MuharramTazia procession from Guru Bazar in downtown Srinagar via Shaheed Gunj, Maulana Azad Road to Dalgate Imam Bara in the city centre have been banned by the district authorities.
“General public is requested to respect rule of law and don’t appreciate/endorse any rumour of a procession rally”, a police advisory said. “In view of the Muharram-ul-Haram there would be multiple cut-offs established across Srinagar city to discourage the movement of people towards city centre”, a Traffic police advisory said and added in order to have a smooth movement of traffic and for convenience of the general public, motorists were directed to use alternative routes.
The authorities did this by saying that they wanted to ensure that a law and order situation doesn’t arise, a police statement said. However, no Case was registered against anyone today, Police added.
Police also regretted the inconvenience caused due to restrictions to the general public and tourists and said this was done for the larger public good of ensuring a peaceful day devoid of any scope whatsoever of communal/sectarian clashes or altercation with police/forces.
While some youth tried to come out individually at certain places, they were immediately taken into preventive custody without using any force or teargas. Neither any anti-national slogan nor communal slogan was heard today, the security reports.
The District Magistrate Srinagar on Saturday decided that processions related to Muharram from Guru Bazar towards Dalgate and Abi Guzar towards Zadibal routes respectively will not be allowed keeping in view public security and law & order, an official spokesman said.
A PIL was recently filed in High Court for allowing the Shia community to take out religious processions, especially on the 8th of Muharram from Guru Bazaar to Dalgate. The Court had asked the competent authority to take the decision regarding the Muharram procession.
The Muharram processions in the City Centre have not been allowed since 1989. However, Muharram processions are being held in the interior parts of the city and other districts of the Kashmir valley as usual.
Many roads from Guru Bazar to Dalgate were barricaded and concertina razor wires were laid to plug the lanes and bylanes besides security forces were deployed in strength to maintain law and order and to prevent any gathering.
It is unfortunate that they were taken into preventive custody for observing their religious memorials.
Indian police detain Kashmiri #Shiite Muslims trying to take part in a #Muharram procession on August 7 in #Srinagar, #Kashmir, India.
📷: @yawarnazir #muharram2022 pic.twitter.com/azP2b3Kqo7— Getty Images News (@GettyImagesNews) August 7, 2022
What is Muharram?
Muḥarram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, one of the four sacred months of the year when warfare is forbidden and grieving is observed. It is held to be the second holiest month after Ramadan.
The tenth day of Muharram is known as Ashura known as part of the Mourning of Muharram, Shi’a Muslims mourn the tragedy of Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī’s family.
Shiites mourn the martyrdom of Ḥusayn by abstaining from joyous events. Instead, Shia Muslims hold many events to offer condolences to Imam Husayn and to honour the martyrs by prayer, reading supplications, and holding charity events. Shiʿi Muslims eat as little as possible on the Ashura; however, this is not seen as fasting.
Alevis fast for ten or twelve days, each day for one of the Twelve Imams of Shiʿa Islam, to monumentalize and mourn the Imams as if a very close relative has died. Some (excluding children, elderly or sick) do not eat or drink and avoid entertainment until zawal (afternoon) as a part of their mourning for Husayn. In addition, there is an important ziyarat book, the Ziyarat Ashura about Ḥusayn. In Shiʿism, it is popular to read this ziyarat on this date.