Ashura processions in Kashmir: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox |
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|title = Grand Ashura In Kashmir |
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| header3 = Procession at a glance |
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| image = [[File:Shia youth confronting kashmir police.jpg|thumb|Shia youth confronting kashmir police]] |
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| label47 = Procession Founder |
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| data47 = Agha Syed Hussain Shah Jalali |
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| label48 = Natura Of Procession |
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| data48 = Religious Mourning |
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| label49 = Authorisers |
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| data49 = [[Aga Syed Yusuf Al-Moosavi Al-Safavi]] <br> [[Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari]] |
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| label50 = Central chanters |
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| data50 = Mirza Mehdi Beighs's descendents. |
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| label51 = Status |
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| data51 = Banned |
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| label52 = Runtime |
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| data52 = Dawn to dusk |
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| label53 = Route |
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| data53 = [[Srinagar]] Abi Guzar to Zadibal |
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}} |
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The [[Day of Ashura|Ashura]] procession in [[kashmir]] that would mark the martyrdom of [[Husayn ibn Ali]] has been banned by the [[Government of Jammu and Kashmir]] by imposing restrictions over it, openly infringing the [[Freedom of religion]] boldly impressed in the [http://www.indiankanoon.org/doc/631708// Article 25] under the [[Constitution of India]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Government of kashmir imposes curfew to stop ashura|url=http://img.static.reliefweb.int/report/india/india-govt-clamps-curfew-stop-main-ashura-procession-kashmir|accessdate=5 February 2014|newspaper=Reliefweb}}</ref> Besides the State Government of Jammu and Kashmir is violating Article 18 of [[International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights]]<ref>{{cite web|title=International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI) of 16 December 1966 entry into force 23 March 1976, in accordance with Article 49|url=http://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/ccpr.aspx|publisher=United Nations Human Rights}}</ref> from 1989 by depriving the [[Shia]] Muslims from practicing their basic religious duties. [http://www.jkpolice.gov.in/ Jammu and Kashmir Police] every year injures dozens of [[Kashmir|Kashmiri]] citizens who demand the religious freedom,thus violating [[Human rights]] in [[Kashmir]].<ref>www.telegraphindia.com/1091229/jsp/nation/story_11919545.jsp</ref> |
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[[File:Kashmir Police baton charging mourner.jpg|thumb|Kashmir Police baton charging mourner]] |
[[File:Kashmir Police baton charging mourner.jpg|thumb|Kashmir Police baton charging mourner]] |
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'''Ashura processions in [[Kashmir]]''' mark the [[Day of Ashura]] commemorating the death of [[Husayn ibn Ali]] in the [[Battle of Karbala]].<ref name=RW2010>{{cite web|author1=[[Islamic Republic News Agency]]|title=India: Govt clamps curfew to stop main Ashura procession in Kashmir|url=http://img.static.reliefweb.int/report/india/india-govt-clamps-curfew-stop-main-ashura-procession-kashmir|publisher=[[ReliefWeb]]|accessdate=11 April 2015|date=17 December 2010}}</ref> However major mourning processions in the state have been banned by the [[Government of Jammu and Kashmir]] since the 1990s when such processions often turned into [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|pro-freedom protests]].<ref name=HT2010>{{cite news|last1=Ashiq|first1=Peerzada|title=Curfew to prevent Muharram procession|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/curfew-to-prevent-muharram-procession/article1-638588.aspx|accessdate=11 April 2015|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=15 December 2010}}</ref> Smaller processions are permitted in some Shia-pockets of the state, including in the districts of [[Baramulla district|Baramulla]], [[Kulgam district|Kulgam]], [[Leh district|Leh]] and [[Kargil district|Kargil]], but processions are not allowed along the traditional route in the state capital of [[Srinagar]], and the occasion is often marred by clashes between the mourners and the police.<ref name=TT2009>{{cite news|title=Muharram in Srinagar marred by violence|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091229/jsp/nation/story_11919545.jsp|accessdate=11 April 2015|work=[[The Telegraph]]|date=28 December 2009}}</ref><ref name=HT2010/> |
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However, people of faith are awaiting for next [[Islamic_calendar|Islamic year's]] [[Muharram]] as it is expected [[National_Democratic_Alliance_(India)|NDA]] led central government will not continue the restrictions as [[Prime Minister of India]] assured complete religious freedom for minorities this February (2015). <ref> http://www.oneindia.com/india/pm-modi-finally-breaks-silence-says-govt-will-not-allow-any-1656560.html</ref> |
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==History and Background== |
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In the early 19th century it was believed that organizing [[Day of Ashura|Ashura]] procession in [[kashmir]] may ignite conflict between [[shia|shia Muslims]] and [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslims]] the two factions of [[muslim]] religion. So the Ashura procession was organized during gloom of night and culminated before the sun raised from east of valley. But later Agha Syed Hussain Shah Jalali in cooperation with Kahkahshees dared to take out the procession during the day following a march by them when they led the procession with Holy [[Quran]] on their heads and reached their grand destination. In this way Ashura in [[Kashmir]] proceeded under the light of Sun.<ref>{{cite web|title=History Of Kashmir|url=http://kashmirmedia.wordpress.com/page/9/|publisher=Kashmir Media|accessdate=6 February 2014}}</ref> Later after the decades during the outbreak of militancy, in beginning of [[Kashmir conflict]] Sunni faction in 1989 turned violent and opposed the Ashura procession again. In the old city there happened untoward incidents between [[Muslim]] factions and leaders of [[Shia]] mourners decided to decline the Ashura from its bestowed route. Along with this State Government also imposed ban on the grand procession. After a span of time Ashura procession was organized inside the streets of [[Shia]] dominated town widely known as zadibal. Till then ashura is being organized inside those narrow streets. Since the ban on Ashura procession was imposed [[Shia]] activists from many towns struggled very hard for the upliftment of the ban. Molvi Abbas Hussain Ansari every year organizes demonstrations and castigates the authorities to repeal the ban on Ashura Procession.<ref>{{cite news|title=Molvi Abbas denounces Ban on Ashura Processions|url=http://www.scoopnews.in/det.aspx?q=33420|accessdate=10 February 2014|newspaper=Scoop News}}</ref> Every year dozens of youth are injured by security forces and hundreds are detained as government in Srinagar restricts the movement of mourners on the day of ashura.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mourners mark Ashura in Kashmir|url=http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/11/26/274539/mourners-mark-ashura-in-kashmir/|accessdate=10 February 2014|newspaper=Press tv}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Clashes in Kashmir as Muslims try to mark Ashura|url=http://presstv.com/detail/334842.html|accessdate=10 February 2014|newspaper=Press Tv}}</ref> |
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==Framework== |
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Before the Ashura was banned Shia Muslims used to take two processions respectively on single and same day of Ashura. One was culminated under the banner of [[Aga Syed Yusuf Al-Moosavi Al-Safavi]] and another was culminated under [[Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari|Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari's]] banner. The figured process created chaos among the mourners which was later altered by then Chief Minister of [[Kashmir]] [[Sheikh Abdullah]] who suggested the two sub factions to organize unique procession where one sub faction will organize the procession in first year and another alternatively. This suggestion was implemented immediately and proved useful. Till then this process of organizing the Procession remained same even after the ban on grand procession.<ref>{{cite book|title=History of Ashura Procession in Kashmir|date=December 21, 2012|publisher=Rising Kashmir}}</ref> Nowadays Ashura procession in Kashmir is banned by the State Government violating the freedom of religion provided in the constitution of [[India]]. [[Shia]] mourners are not allowed to come on the roads so that they would practice and address the world media about the tragedy of karbala that befall to the households of [[Muhammad]] some 1400 years ago. Perhaps one open narrow street procession is allowed from the shia dominated town known as zadibal in summer capital. On one year it begins from the premises of Mirza Maqbool's residence at culminates at Imambara qadeem under the banner of [[Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari]]. On the other hand next year beginning of Procession take place at Gulshan Bagh which culminates at the shrine of [[Mir Sham ud-Din Iraqi]] which also lies near to the ImamBara Qadeem Zadibal under the banner of Anjumane Sharie Shian Kashmir. |
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==Recitations== |
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[[File:Ashura in kashmir.jpg|thumb|Mehdi Beigh's Son, one of prominent Elegy chanter reciting [[Noha]] on Ashura Procession in Kashmir]] |
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During the first ten days of [[Muharram]] [[shia]] cleric and one of the authorizers of Procession [[Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari]] used to address the congregation at Imambara qadeem in capital [[Srinagar]] but after his death in 2014 Molvi Imran Raza Ansari is delivering speech at central congregation in Srinagar, which is followed by recitation of [[Marsiya]]. On the eve of Ashura, Mirza Mehdi Beigh's descendants chant historical elegies with holy procession especially in the zuljanah contingent. |
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<br>In the early 1950s Mirza Mehdi Beigh a noted young writer from sonwar used to chant ''"halqay e shabir tcchati shumrey layeen karbala, su bahi zarbe sar tchatte na'Ti arzo sama; dapi shumras shah hussain sabr kar te Rosiya, darwaaze ratith cham wechaan zeinab e kubra; myaan e halqich khoon e shraakh yuth ne haav has rosiya, so kheem neyere barmala lare phyere murtaza"'' mourners were seen drowned and rubbing sludge on their face while chanting these verses.<ref>{{cite news|title=History Of Jaloos e ashura|url=http://kashmirobserver.net/news/opinion/history-jaloos-e-ashura-srinagar|accessdate=9 February 2014|newspaper=Kashmir Observer}}</ref> Nowadays Beigh Family's descendants and fourth generation reciters Manzoor Hussain Beigh, Sharafat Hussain Beigh chants with the central contingent i.e., zuljanah contingent where kashmir's most famous elegies like 'Ae gul e gulzar Ali Akbaram' ; 'Ye chu zuljanaye syed e shohda' are chanted that captures the focal point of procession. In other sub regional contingents Kifayat Faheem is a noted name in elegy recitation. While Mirza Maqbool is also a prominent one. |
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The government privately cites fear of militant strikes as a reason for the restrictions.<ref name=RW2010/> [[Shia]] leaders in the state, such as [[Mohammad Abbas Ansari]], complain that the restrictions are discriminatory and impinge of their [[freedom of religion]].<ref name=RW2010/><ref name= Scoop>{{cite news|title=Molvi Abbas denounces Ban on Ashura Processions|url=http://www.scoopnews.in/det.aspx?q=33420|accessdate=10 February 2014|newspaper=Scoop News}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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Revision as of 03:56, 12 April 2015
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (April 2015) |
Ashura processions in Kashmir mark the Day of Ashura commemorating the death of Husayn ibn Ali in the Battle of Karbala.[1] However major mourning processions in the state have been banned by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir since the 1990s when such processions often turned into pro-freedom protests.[2] Smaller processions are permitted in some Shia-pockets of the state, including in the districts of Baramulla, Kulgam, Leh and Kargil, but processions are not allowed along the traditional route in the state capital of Srinagar, and the occasion is often marred by clashes between the mourners and the police.[3][2]
The government privately cites fear of militant strikes as a reason for the restrictions.[1] Shia leaders in the state, such as Mohammad Abbas Ansari, complain that the restrictions are discriminatory and impinge of their freedom of religion.[1][4]
References
- ^ a b c Islamic Republic News Agency (17 December 2010). "India: Govt clamps curfew to stop main Ashura procession in Kashmir". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ a b Ashiq, Peerzada (15 December 2010). "Curfew to prevent Muharram procession". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ "Muharram in Srinagar marred by violence". The Telegraph. 28 December 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ "Molvi Abbas denounces Ban on Ashura Processions". Scoop News. Retrieved 10 February 2014.