Allowing Muharram Procession—A Welcome Move

In what could be termed as a welcome and appreciable, the administration in Jammu and Kashmir led by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has taken a historic and bold step to pave the way for the Shia community to carry out a procession on 8th of Muharram—the first month of the Islamic year. The processions are being carried out to remember the sacrifices laid by the Karbala martyrs. It was in 1989 when the then government in wake of the volatile situation had banned the Muharram procession from Guru Bazar to Dalgate here through MA Road, but despite elapsing more than three decades, no government in Jammu and Kashmir since then lifted the ban, claiming that the situation was not conducive for the move. However, the incumbent administration has taken a bold step by lifting the ban on the 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar after the gap of 32 years. The decision indicates how the situation has changed after the scrapping of Article 370 and other measures taken by the government. The decision has sent a clear message that peace has been restored in Jammu & Kashmir where there is no reason for imposing curbs on any rally or procession from now onwards and thus simultaneously, the ban was lifted by the government to ensure that the Shia community is not deprived of their religious duties. The lifting of ban on 8th Muharram procession was the long pending demand of the Shia community, but has been fulfilled and was possible only after the government restored peace by taking several measures including the removal of Article 370 here.