             J&K: After decades Muharram procession taken out
Aman Zutshi
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government allowed Muharram procession after a period of thirty five years in Srinagar district of Kashmir on Thursday.
The local authorities yesterday granted permission to 8th Shia procession on old traditional routes from Guru Bazaar to Dal Gate. Today thousands participated in the Shia procession in Srinagar carrying holy flags and commemorating Imam Hussain’s (AS) sacrifice in the battle of Karbala against Yazid.
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In 1986, a ban was imposed on the Muharram procession by the local regime alleging provocation by the participants but was lifted yesterday by the LG govt taking assurance from the mourners that they will not indulge in any anti-country activities.
The procession started on 6am and concluded at 8am amidst high security arrangements.
“I’m seeing this procession after thirty years it is a good initiative from the administration. We assure there will be now law and order problem here.” Humayun Ali Khan from Guru Bazaar said.
“My date of birth is 1991 and I’m witnessing this procession for the first time in my life. We will remain peaceful and will be in future also.
“Kashmir is like the crown of India and we are integral part of India. We have religious rights if other states are enjoying religious rights why can’t we Kashmiris.
“There used to be cane charging and pellet guns here. It is a good initiative by the govt and we want authorities to allow us procession timing like we used to observe earlier in future.
“We are mourning the sacrifice of Imam Hussain’s (AS) martyrdom and I can’t express in words what I’m feeling”, he added.
“We are so thankful to administration which granted us permission to take out this 8th Muharram procession. Our spirituality is refreshed again.
“We commemorate Imam Hussain’s (AS) and through this procession we gave this message that Imam Hussain is role model for whole humanity and he teaches us how to become a good human.
“The elders advised us to obey the order given by the administration whole observing the procession”, added, Shabaz Qasim another participant.
