The Separatist Movement Has Created an Adverse Impact on the Muharram Commemorations in Kashmir
By
Shakeel Hasan Shamsi
(Tr. New
Age Islam Edit Desk)
24 August
2021
There Was
a Time When The Commemoration Of Muharram Was A Grand Success In The Valley Of Kashmir
Main
Points:
1. Separatist
movement has had an adverse impact on the Muharram commemorations of Kashmir.
2. Centre
allowed the Muharram processions with a limited number due to the Covid-19
pandemic.
3. Youth of
Kashmir are very much enraged by a mullah sitting in Pakistan.
4. He is
obsessed only with the grief of Indian Muslims that eats him up.
----
There was a
time when the commemoration of Muharram [the ongoing Islamic month in which
Imam Hussain A.S attained martyrdom] was a grand success in the valley of
Kashmir. But ever since the pro-Pakistan separatist movement spearheaded its
ugly head in Kashmir under the disguise of Islam, provocative speeches and
sermons began in mosques, and sermons on the [Islamic doctrine] of martyrdom
have intensified. It appeared as if the political gatherings had been held in
the religious places, which replaced the protests, rallies and processions with
the gun culture. Now all this has become commonplace.
This whole
[separatist] movement has had an adverse impact on the Muharram commemorations
of Kashmir. Just as the other processions in mosques and seminaries were badly
affected by the separatists, similarly the [Shia] Imam Baras and Hussainiyas
fell prey to the separatist designs. The Muharram chants of "Yaa
Hussein" in these processions were replaced by the slogans of “Azaadi”
(freedom from India). In place of mourning and commemorating the martyrdom of
Imam Hussain, voices calling for accession to Pakistan began to be heard. The Ta’aziya
processions, which used to be very peaceful in the valley, suddenly turned
violent and mourners started to clash with the police.
After the
commemorations of Muharram were completely hijacked by the separatists, the
government banned the Ta’aziya processions in 1989. Congress was the
then government at the centre and the government in Jammu and Kashmir was
formed by the National Conference. It thus implies that the ban on Muharram
processions in Kashmir was not imposed by any sectarian or communalist party
government but rather by the parties that believed in secularism. Nevertheless,
during the days of Muharram in Kashmir, people did not stop taking out
processions and they were coming out every year in violation of the
restrictions imposed on the processions. Oftentimes, they even violated the
curfews, and the mourners staged processions even if they had to face Lathi
charge from the police.
This year,
the assembly in Jammu & Kashmir has been dissolved and the entire
administration is under the control of the central government. Now the people
of Kashmir, through their Ulema and clerics, have repeatedly appealed to the
central government to allow them to take out processions on the ongoing
occasion of Muharram. Although it was not expected from the BJP government, yet
the Centre allowed the Muharram processions with a limited number due to the
Covid-19 pandemic. This led to taking out of the processions in many parts of
the valley. Obviously how would the separatists like this? Therefore,
anti-India elements and Pakistan sympathisers started turning the Julus
(processions) into anti-national demonstrations. As a result, they faced clashes
with the police and army.
The most
critical development is that the youth of Kashmir are very much enraged by a
mullah sitting in Pakistan. If you listen to his speeches, you would get to
know that he is not reciting a Muharram Majlis but is parroting an anti-India
story written by the ISI.
The only
job for which this Maulvi has been hired is to insult the Muslim scholars of
India, instead of mentioning the battle of Karbala. You will never hear a word
from him about the atrocities in Pakistan. Hundreds of youths were picked up by
the Pak police recently across the border. Enforced disappearances continue
unabated. None of them have been seen till date. People in Pakistan staged a
sit-in protest but this Mullah sitting in Lahore did not come out of his cave.
Now he is inciting the youth of Jammu & Kashmir to sit in Lahore. What a
travesty of religious preaching! It should also be made clear that this Mullah
is constantly spreading poisonous tentacles not just against the Indian Muslims
but also against immigrant scholars of Pakistan. He advocates the imposition of
Punjabi culture instead of Urdu on Pakistan and spews venom against India day
in and day out. Obviously, this Maulvi is serving the ulterior motives of the
Pakistani government and is on their payroll. He is tasked with misleading the
Muslim youth of India.
There are
millions of atrocities against the Muslims of Balochistan but this Maulvi does
not open his mouth. He is obsessed only with the grief of Indian Muslims that
eats him up. In any case, what we are saying is that Kashmiri separatists—no
matter how much fuss they make falling prey to Pakistan—should at least forgive
religious ceremonies like the Muharram and religious places such as Hussainiyya
and Imam Bara.
Significantly
enough, the videos that have come from Kashmir show only a few rioters and the
rest of the participants are standing in their respective places, which also
shows that Pakistan has hijacked the Muharram processions and has sent some
agents to the field.
----
Shakeel
Hasan Shamsi is a former editor of Urdu Daily Inquilab. This article appeared
first in Inqilab.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/radical-islamism-jihad/separatist-muharram-kashmir/d/125266
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