Indian Authorities Permit Muharram Procession in Kashmir Amid Strict Restrictions

Indian Authorities Permit Muharram Procession in Kashmir Amid Strict Restrictions
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The 10th Muharram procession was allowed to take place on Sunday in Indian-administered Kashmir under tight curbs, with explicit bans on flags and symbols linked to banned organizations and provocative slogans, Anadolu Agency reported. The regional administration issued orders prohibiting any display of flags bearing images of terrorists, slogans inciting unrest, or logos of banned domestic or international groups.

The procession, commemorating the martyrdom of the Master of the Martyrs (peace be upon him), his honourable family and his loyal companions during the Battle of Karbala, followed a designated route with strict guidelines. The order emphasized that any anti-national, anti-administration, or sectarian speech would not be tolerated, warning that activities disturbing communal or religious harmony would be dealt with firmly.

Since the start of the anti-India insurgency in 1989, two major Muharram processions along traditional routes in Srinagar had been banned. However, since 2023, processions have been permitted on specified routes under administrative supervision.