Muharram Tazia Procession Taken Out in Srinagar's Traditional Route After 34 Years

SRINAGAR: Thousands of Shia mourners, most of them clad in black clothes and chanting in unison on Thursday marched along the streets of uptown Srinagar after the authorities lifted a 34-year-old ban on taking out a tazia procession along the traditional route in Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital on the 8th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.

Joined by a large number of Sunni Muslims including Srinagar’s Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu, the participants pounded their chests in mourning while some expressed fervour in the ritual of self-flagellation with chains in an effort to relive the tragedy-the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Imam Hussein and his 72 family members and companions in the battle of Karbala (Iraq) in 680 AD. Green flags and those of red symbolising the blood of the martyrs and banners and placards with verses of Qur’an, Imam Hussain’s timeless quotes and catchlines in praise of his sacrifice written on these fluttered in the air.

Prior to the outbreak of militancy in the Kashmir Valley in 1989-90, Srinagar's Shia residents used to take out huge processions from Aabi Guzar in Kothibagh and Guru Bazaar in Shaheed Gunj police station areas of the summer capital which would culminate into Hussaini majalis or gatherings at Zadibal and Dalgate in Ram Munshi Bagh police station areas to mark the 10th and 8th day of Muharram mourning, respectively. The main Muharram processions through traditional routes were later banned as the authorities feared that such public marches and events could be turned into massive pro-azadi rallies by separatists which may create law and order situations.

The violation of these official curbs led to clashes between groups of mourners and the police on many of these occasions. However, Tazia, Zuljinah and Alam processions to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein and his family members and companions in the battle of Karbala would be allowed in the areas having sizable Shia population in and outside Srinagar.

The authorities expressed their satisfaction over the procession from Guru Bazaar to Dal Gate passing off peacefully on Thursday. They thanked their organizers and the participants of the tazia procession of “cooperating” with them. Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, said that it was a “historic occasion” for the Valley’s Shia Muslims “as after 34 years the tazia procession on the 8th of Muharram taken on the traditional route, from Guru Bazaar to Dal Gate”.

“For 34 years, Muharram procession was banned on the traditional route. We respect the sentiments of Shia brethren and I assure the community that the administration will always stand by them. It is also the testimony to change and normalcy in J&K,” he said.

Mr. Sinha, while paying homage to the martyrs of Karbala, said, “I bow to the martyrs of Karbala and recall sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his ideals.” He asserted, “Today the entire world is witnessing the commitment and determination of the government to ensure a peaceful environment, freedom, love, compassion and harmony in society. It is an occasion to reaffirm our commitment to peace and dedicate ourselves to the progress and prosperity of J&K”.

He added, “Several historic decisions have seen the light of the day in a few years and a peaceful J&K has emerged on the horizon. Let's further strengthen our bonds and unity.”