Solemn elegies fill streets

Srinagar, July 15: Shia mourners in large numbers took out a procession in Srinagar on Monday, marking the 8th Muharram procession through the traditional Guru Bazaar-Dalgate route.

The momentous occasion saw a massive turnout as mourners, clad in black attire and carrying religious banners, commemorated the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Participants recited elegies and engaged in traditional rituals, transforming the city’s atmosphere with their sombre yet passionate expressions of grief and devotion.

Thousands of mourners assembled at Guru Bazaar at 5:30 am as the authorities had granted a limited time window for the procession so that normal life would not be affected.

Since the insurgency started in Kashmir in 1989, for 34 years till 2023, the procession was banned.

However, despite the ban, people from the Shia community used to take out processions on 8th and 10th Muharram on these routes, which the Police used to respond to with restrictions.

However, in 2023, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha-led Jammu and Kashmir administration revoked the ban and Muharram processions were taken out through the traditional route.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi monitored the procession till its culmination.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri and other senior officers of Police and civil administration were also present during the procession.

The procession was carried out to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS), his family, and supporters in the desert of Karbala in modern-day Iraq.

Praising the sacrifice by Imam Hussain (AS), the mourners behaved responsibly throughout the procession.

The authorities had deployed a heavy security presence along the route, emphasising peaceful conduct.

Prominent Shia leaders joined the mourners in the procession.

The participants recited eulogies for Imam Hussain (AS), and his companions, who were martyred in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.

The mourners, dressed in customary black attire, beat their chests and chanted elegies as they walked through the heart of Srinagar.

The administration had allocated a strict time window for the procession, allowing it to commence at 6 am and conclude by 8 am.

However, due to the massive presence of the participants, the procession culminated peacefully in the afternoon.

The authorities diverted the traffic for the hassle-free procession.

“It is a historic day for all the people of Kashmir as we were allowed to take out a procession for the second time in a row,” said Mumtaz Ali, a Shia mourner. “We ensured it should be peaceful and it remained so.”

Another mourner, Talib Hussain, said that they prayed for peace and had no intention of disrupting it. Before the 1990s, Shia mourners traditionally organised two major processions in Srinagar.

The 8th Muharram procession would start from Guru Bazaar, pass through Lal Chowk, and culminate at Dalgate, while the 10th Muharram procession began from Abi Guzar and ended at Zadibal in downtown Srinagar.

Monday’s procession marked the second time since 1989 that the 8th Muharram procession was allowed.

The decision to allow the procession was made by the J&K administration on Sunday.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Srinagar, Bilal Mohiuddin issued an order granting permission for the procession from Guru Bazaar to Dalgate via Budshah Kadal and M A Road.

The order emphasised that the time window was finalised in the larger public interest, considering the procession route’s encompassing massive business and commercial establishments, movement of ambulances, students, office staff, and people.

Following the permission, announcements were made from Imam Bargahs and Masjid loudspeakers in Shia-dominated localities, urging mourners to participate in the 8th Muharram procession.

All major Shia outfits including Anjuman-e-Sharie Shiayan, Shia Association, and Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen encouraged people to join the procession.

Head of Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari issued a video appeal calling upon the mourners to reach Guru Bazaar after morning prayers, maintain discipline, and participate peacefully.

Other leaders also made similar appeals.