Srinagar, July 25: Shia clerics from Kashmir Valley have expressed sorrow over what they called a ‘thriftless approach’ on the part of the government that has asked them to limit the number of mourners in the traditional Muharram processions.
A Shia cleric revealed that they received a letter from the administration asking them to put a cap on the number of mourners. The letter further stated that a decision will be taken once the Shia leaders assure them that the participants in the Muharram processions will be limited.
President Anjuman Sharia Shia, Agha Syed Hasan Al-Musawi Al-Safavi told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the insistence on the part of the government to have a specific number of mourners in the processions is completely illogical because the divisional administration should be aware of the nature of these processions on the ground level.
While talking to reporters at his Budgam-based residence, the son of Agha Syed Hasan, Agha Syed Mujtaba said that there was a positive aspect in the meetings held with the governor’s administration regarding the processions for the past one and a half months, but the recent statement by the divisional administration was disappointing.
He said after positive gestures, allowing traditional Muharram processions on conditions is unfortunate and they condemn it.
Later Aga Syed Mujtaba in a Tweet said: “Let this be very clear that there would be no caping on the number of mourners for 8th and 10th Muharram processions on the traditional routes. He said Administration should show a big heart and furtherance of hope should not be answered by this thriftless approach.
Another Shia cleric Imran Ansari said that a sea of humanity converges on the roads on the occasion of Ashura. Azadars mostly from Shia community and people from other communities also take part in these processions. “Ashura marks the day of martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) and ironically nobody can beforehand give details of the number of people that will participate in the procession.” (KNT)
