After 3 decades, J&K allows Muharram procession

“The permission is hereby granted…for taking out Muharram procession on 8th Muharram-1445 from Guru Bazar to Dalgate via Budshah Kadal and M.A Road, Srinagar, from 6 am to 8 am on 27th July, 2023,” according to an order issued Wednesday evening by Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Ajaz Asad.

“The time window has been finalised in the larger public interest as the procession route encompasses massive business/commercial establishments, movement of ambulances, students, office staff, general passengers, etc,” the order stated.

Permission for the procession is significant since it was not allowed for more than three decades, as the government saw processionists as being soft towards the separatist movement. It was banned at the start of militancy in J&K in 1990.

In its order on Wednesday, the administration asked processionists not to “indulge in any anti-national/anti-establishment speeches/sloganeering or propaganda”. The order stated that there should be no activity during the procession that is “prejudicial to security and sovereignty of the State”, and participants “should not disrespect any national symbol/emblem.”

The order stated: “They (processionists) shall not hoist any flag depicting provocative slogans/text and/or photos of terror outfits, logos of banned organisations at both national and international level. Activities of the participants attending the procession should remain strictly confined to the programme only. They shall cooperate with local police and other security agencies as desired by them in the public interest.”

Traditionally, Shia mourners organise two big processions in the Valley — the 8th Muharram procession starts from Shaheed Gunj area of the city, passes through city centre Lalchowk and culminates at Dalgate neighbourhood of Srinagar; while the 10th Muharram procession passes through Shia-dominated areas of the city.

The administration allows the 10th Muharram procession.

The 8th Muharram processions were traditionally organised by Ittihadul Muslimeen, a constituent of the separatist conglomerate Hurriyat Conference, and a large number of Sunni people also took part in it.

Despite the ban, Shia mourners defied restrictions and took out a procession from Guru Bazar each year, which was dispersed by police.