Srinagar: It was after some 33 (thirty-three) years that Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium witnessed a massive Independence Day event today with people from all walks of life thronging the venue with enthusiasm. Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha unfurled the Tiranga and took the salute amid cheers by the audience.
There were no restrictions in place; there were no curbs on the internet; there was no unwarranted frisking and; there were no special invitation passes for those who were present at the venue of the main Independence Day function.
The administration had already thrown an open invitation to all citizens to undo past practices of restricted entries and people reciprocated in the same coin. They thronged the venue and long queues of men, women, elderly, youth, and children were witnessed outside the Stadium – all keen to witness the Independence Parade.
Though Kashmiris born before the ’80s have been witness to such ID celebrations, for the post-90 born generation, it was something new. What they have witnessed during their lifetime was bandhs, restrictions, stone pelting, teargas shelling, blasts, terrorist attacks, arrests, and deaths on this event. But today was different – there was no bandh call instead life was as normal as ever; youngsters were not throwing rocks but marching with Tiranga in their hands; there were no blasts or terrorist attacks but an atmosphere of celebration all over; there were no deaths, no arrests, no teargas shelling but sweets and smiles being shared. The Internet was not disrupted, people uploaded what they wanted.
The enthusiasm was not confined to Srinagar alone. In all districts, sub-district, and tehsils the scene was the same. The tri-colour was fluttering all over and people were participating wholeheartedly. This has happened first time in Kashmir’s recent history and undoubtedly it is historic.
Meanwhile, after a gap of nearly three decades, thousands of Kashmiris thronged the Independence Day celebrations at Bakshi Stadium here on Tuesday, with authorities this year doing away with restrictions on the movement of people imposed in the past.
It was a pleasant surprise for the 1.5 million residents of Srinagar city to not find any concertina wires or barricades, which had come to be associated with the tight security arrangements made on Independence Day and Republic Day in Kashmir.
Carrying the national flag, men and women of different ages filled the stands in the Bakshi Stadium while a significant number of children could also be seen. This was the largest gathering of civilians at the stadium for an Independence Day function since 2003 when an estimated 20,000 people witnessed the parade.
The atmosphere was festive as many people clicked selfies in the stands to mark the occasion.
Many schools were open in the city early for flag hoisting ceremonies while shops too were catering to people in some areas of the city including Lal Chowk, in a marked departure from the last 33 years when people would prefer staying home.
While security forces were deployed in adequate numbers to ensure law and order, traffic was moving freely in most parts of the city with only random checking of vehicles done by security forces at some places close to Bakshi stadium, the venue of the main function in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
Mobile and internet services, which used to be suspended on August 15 and January 26, were also not interrupted for the third year in a row.
Several thousand civilians waving the tricolour walked into the renovated Bakshi stadium here to witness the Independence Day parade and cultural programme. While officials did not give any numbers on attendance, sources said around 10,000 people saw the function.
“We are happy that there are no restrictions and people are allowed to enter without any special passes. This is how it should have been in the first place,” Abid Hussain, a young man in the stands, told PTI.
Shaista Bano had come from the Ganderbal district to witness the parade.
“I was longing for so many years to see the parade. When I heard that anyone can enter the stadium, I decided to come this time,” she said.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration had asked people to participate in the function in large numbers. They had said only valid identity proof was required to be carried along.
The large attendance at the function was befitting the occasion as Bakshi Stadium hosted the Independence Day celebrations again after five years.
The stadium was closed in 2018 for renovation and upgradation and the parade had shifted to Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Sonawar.
