Srinagar: Apni Party’s Senior Vice President, Ghulam Hassan Mir, on Monday, urged the Lieutenant Governor (LG) administration to allow the movement of religious processions in the summer capital Srinagar and other parts of the Valley during the forthcoming Islamic month of Muharram.
In his press statement, Ghulam Hassan Mir said, “The Muharram processions, which have otherwise been denied for many years now, occupy a special place with regard to the commemoration of the holy month for our Shia brethren. Given the relatively calm and peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the Valley for quite a considerable period of time now, the community has been looking up to Hon’ble LG Manoj Sinha with great expectations to allow these processions without any hindrance or interference.”
He further said, “The Shia community, like every other, has the constitutional right to observe its religious activities with the utmost freedom, dignity, and honor. It is expected that the authorities in charge recognize and uphold these rights, allowing the movement of processions on specific dates during the sacred month in accordance with the community’s expectations.” Mir added.
It is worth mentioning that during Muharram, the Shia community traditionally organizes processions following specific routes. On Muharram 6, the procession typically moves from Gulshan Bagh to Zadibal. On Muharram 7, the route extends from Kathi Darwaza to Hassanabad. Similarly, on Muharram 8, the procession proceeds from Guru Bazaar to Dalgate, on Muharram 9 from Mandibal to Zadibal, on Muharram 10 from Aabi Guzar to Lal Chowk, on Muharram 11 from Rainawari to Hassanabad, and finally, on Muharram 25, the procession is observed from Mirgund to Budgam.
Ghulam Hassan also appealed for all the necessary arrangements to be made available for the commemoration of the religious activities. He said, “There have been complaints about the unavailability of potable water supply, pesky power cuts, dearth of ration and LPG, and other such basic amenities from various pockets of Srinagar and Budgam districts, and we, as such, urge the authorities to come up to the expectations of the general masses and do away with the grievances at the earliest.”
