India bans Muharram procession in Srinagar today
Many arrested in crackdown on pro-Palestine rally participants
Srinagar: The Modi-led Indian government banned the 10th Muharram procession in Srinagar, citing the dubious pretext of potential disturbances to peace and law and order issues.
Meanwhile, authorities have arrested 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, the other day.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian in a statement issued in Srinagar 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 negotiations with the local representative of the Modi regime confirmed the ban and said the authorities have informed them about the ban. He said that Anjuman Sharie Shian condemns the unnecessary ban and hinting at the ongoing violent military operations said that the ground situation has not changed. So banning Muharram processions on the pretext of so-called potential disturbance to peace carries no weight.
Prior to 1989, mourners used to take out processions from Abi Guzar in Kothibagh and Guru Bazaar in Shaheed Gunj police station areas of the city which would culminate into Hussaini majalis or gatherings at Zadibal and Dalgate in Ram Munshi Bagh areas to mark the 10th and 8th day of Muharram mourning, respectively. However, main tazia processions were later banned.
Additionally, Indian police arrested many youth under an open FIR registered under the draconian law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for raising pro-Palestine and anti-Israel chants during the 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar. The police continue to conduct raids to arrest more attendees of the pro-Palestine rally.
Terming the police action as ‘unwarranted and an assault on freedom of expression’, Member of Indian Parliament from Srinagar, Agha Syed Ruhulla Mehdi in a post on ‘X’ demanded immediate release of those allegedly arrested by the police.
“The police have arrested several youths for raising slogans in favor of the people of Palestine and carrying the Palestinian flag in a Muharram procession yesterday in Srinagar. This is an assault on freedom of expression, especially an expression in favor of the oppressed people. As conveyed through telephonic conversation, the police should release these men and avoid treating them as criminals,” Ruhullah wrote on X, formerly tweeter.
