In a significant development, authorities allowed thousands of Shia Muslims to participate in a religious procession in Srinagar, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), for the first time in decades. The procession, which marks the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) grandson, Hussain (RA), during the holy month of Muharram, had been banned since 1990 due to the armed revolt against Indian rule in the disputed region.
The current Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been keen on showcasing improved security in the territory after years of unrest. During the recent procession, top police officers and administrators walked alongside the mourners as they marched through the streets of Srinagar, without any incident.
While smaller Muharram processions had been occasionally permitted since the 1990 ban, they often ended in violence, with mourners expressing demands for independence and government forces responding with tear gas and pellet-gun fire.
Shia Muslims, a minority in predominantly Sunni Kashmir, are estimated to account for at least 10% of the region's population.
This year's procession was notably the largest in a generation, and many participants were allowed to join for the first time.
However, despite some improvements in the region, the IIOJK has faced decades of unrest with tens of thousands of casualties among civilians, soldiers, and rebels since the insurgency against Indian rule began in 1989. Insurgent groups have been advocating for independence or merging with Pakistan, and India has maintained a significant military presence in the area to maintain order.
While the Indian government revoked the territory's constitutional guarantees of limited authority in 2019, concerns remain about civil liberties, with restrictions on journalists, public protests, and religious worship.
In the aftermath of the procession, Shia leader Mansoor Abbas Ansari called for the release of detained religious leaders and the removal of limitations on congregation sizes during prayer services. He emphasized that these steps are crucial to proving the government's claims of peace in the region.