Srinagar : Former Member of Legislative Assembly Jammu Kashmir and a person who remains in headlines after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 05, 2019, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi has put up questions over the lifting of ban over annual Muharram processions after a gap of almost thirty years in Kashmir.
In a series of tweets Mehdi said, “There is list of decisions-taken in circulation, in which, if my reading of this order is correct, the administration has decided to allow the 10th Moharram procession from Abiguzar to Lal Chowk (a temporary & alternate route proposed in 2018) after a gap of 30 years.”
Mehdi wrote “This decision has come at the time when the Administration has called off Amarnath yatra. Eid prayers this year were not allowed at Jama Masjid & other important places imposing the Disaster Management Act.”
He said “Only few days ago the IGP Kmr told people to celebrate Eid “at their homes” invoking Covid protocols. The Friday prayers at Jama Masjid have not been allowed for the last more than 100 Fridays & continue to be banned, again invoking Covid 19 protocols. The list goes on.”
“Given the fact that all other major religious gatherings(with no exception to any particular religion)continue to be banned. This sudden isolated decision about 10th Moharram procession from Abiguzar to Lal Chowk,after a gap of 30 years, raises more questions than it answers.” he wrote.
Mehdi further said “To answer those questions and to make it clear that there are no nefarious designs behind this decision,this 10th Moharram procession should be preceded by Friday prayers at Jama Masjid before this 10th Moharram. Friday prayers before this year’s 10th Moharram should precede.”
“If the Friday prayers and other major religious functions (across all religions) continue to be banned and this particular procession suddenly encouraged in isolation. In that case, I see nefarious designs behind it.The people should not fall for this bait and into this trap.” Mehdi said.
“Therefore the responsibility lies with the administration to come clean. Now that the time for Eid prayer this years has passed. Lift the ban on Friday prayers at Jama Masjid too, like you suddenly took this decision and prove that there are no nefarious designs,” he added. (KDC)
