Local authority in India lifts ban on Hosseini mourning after three decades

A 30-year-old ban on holding Shia Mourning ceremonies in the Indian state of Kashmir has been lifted, Indian local authorities say.

The commissioner of Kashmir announced that permission has been issued for holding Shia mourning in this state and called this “a historic step”.

He explained that the Shiites of Kashmir have been asking for permission to hold a mourning procession in the month of Muharram for a long time, but this issue was not allowed in the last 32 years.

“But now, the government has decided to allow the march, and this is a historic step,”, he added.

The commissioner further said that if this ceremony is carried out peacefully and without any particular problem, it will allow the government to make similar decisions about other cases.

He appreciated the Shia citizens and other people of Kashmir for this decision and said that the atmosphere created by the people of Kashmir has enabled the government to take this decision. He also said that all necessary preparations for the ceremony have been made by the authorities.

Holding a mourning ceremony in the month of Muharram has always been a sensitive political issue in Kashmir. This ceremony was prohibited in Kashmir for 30 years.