SRINAGAR: The Narendra Modi-led Indian government has banned the 10th Muharram procession in Srinagar city of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), under the pretext of potential disturbances to peace and law and order.
Meanwhile, authorities have apprehended dozens of people in connection with an open case filed against those who raised pro-Palestine and anti-Israel slogans during the 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar.
Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian in a statement issued in Srinagar strongly condemned the ban, terming it as a direct interference in religious matters. Anjuman’s representative on Interfaith Dialogue Agha Syed Muntazir Mehdi who was leading talks with the local representative of the Modi regime confirmed the ban and added the authorities have informed them about the ban.
He went on to say that Anjuman Sharie Shian denounced the unnecessary ban. He noted banning Muharram processions on the pretext of so-called potential disturbance to peace has no weight.
Before 1989, mourners used to bring out Muharram processions from Abi Guzar in Kothibagh and Guru Bazaar in Shaheed Gunj police station areas of Srinagar which would culminate into Hussaini majalis or gatherings at Zadibal to mark the 10th and 8th day of Muharram. However, the main procession was later banned.
