Srinagar: Thousands of mourners marched from Guru Bazar to Dalgate on the 8th of Muharram, amid heightened security and volunteer support. The pre-dawn procession began at 5am from Guru Bazar, passing through Budshah Kadal and Maulana Azad Road before culminating at Dalgate.
Earlier barred for over 35 years due to security concerns in the late 1980s, the traditional mourning route was restored in 2023, a move welcomed across religious and civil society circles.
Elaborate security and logistical arrangements were made by the administration, with Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, and senior police officials chairing high-level meetings with representatives of Shia organizations ahead of Muharram to coordinate efforts.
Traffic police Srinagar city issued an advisory in advance, announcing that vehicular movement along the route from Guru Bazar to Dalgate would be restricted from early morning. Additionally, traffic was diverted via Residency Road, Hari Singh High Street, Jehangir Chowk, and other inner routes, with designated parking provided at Gindun Park and SP College.
Water sprinklers were also deployed at various locations along the procession route to provide relief from rising temperatures, and hundreds of community volunteers were stationed for crowd management and emergency assistance.
Eyewitnesses and participants told KNO that Aazadar-e-Hussain are now marching peacefully, beating their chests and chanting elegies in memory of Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
“It is reassuring that we have been able to take out the 8th Muharram procession peacefully,” said Syed Murtaza Rizvi, a mourner from Srinagar. “For decades, this route remained off-limits. Seeing mourners walk it again reflects a positive shift, one we hope continues,” he said.
“Seeing mourners commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) is indeed a good step,” said Naqib Abbas Baba from Srinagar. “We are thankful for the opportunity to take part in the 8th Muharram procession this year,” added a group of mourners near Jehangir Chowk.
It may be recalled that Muharram processions along this route were banned since the late 1980s due to the political and security situation in the Valley. For over three decades, the 8th Muharram procession was only permitted in selected areas under tight restrictions. The lifting of the ban in 2023 marked a major shift in policy and was hailed as a step towards religious inclusivity and reconciliation.
Moreover, the 8th of Muharram is part of the broader commemoration leading up to Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, which marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq.
Meanwhille, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Inspector General of Police ((IGP) Kashmir, V K Birdhi, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr. Akshay Labroo, and SSP Srinagar Dr Sundeep Chakarvourti joined the procession at Lal Chowk Srinagar, where they served water to the mourners under the scorching sun.
Speaking on the occasion, the Divisional Commissioner said that all arrangements with ranging from drinking water and medical aid to security and traffic regulation were put in place well ahead of the religious event to ensure a smooth and safe procession.
“We request all mourners to remain focused on the true purpose of the procession and refrain from altering its nature in any way,” Bidhuri said, urging people to maintain the religious spirit and decorum of the event.
IGP Kashmir, V K Birdhi while talking to the reporters said that all the security arrangements were put in place to ensure that 8th Muharram procession passes off smoothly. Asked about 10th Muharram procession, IGP Birdi, said, ” Administration is taking to the organisers in all the places where 10th Muharram processions are taken out so that these religious events are facilitated.”
“For the third year now, we are seeing good arrangements on 8th Muharram. It feels like our voices are finally being heard,” said Tahir Ali, a mourner from Zadibal. “We come here with faith, and seeing officers serve water shows respect for our tradition,” he added. (KNO)
