Srinagar, June 16: JKPDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said that Muharram in Jammu & Kashmir is not merely a religious observance but an inseparable part of the region’s spiritual, cultural and historical fabric. For generations, people across Kashmir have participated in and respected the commemorations associated with the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS), whose timeless message of justice, sacrifice, dignity and resistance against oppression continues to inspire millions across the world.
Ms. Mufti said that Muharram carries profound religious and emotional significance for the people of Jammu & Kashmir and that the administration must ensure all necessary arrangements for mourners and devotees. She urged the authorities to put in place adequate measures relating to traffic management, healthcare facilities, sanitation, drinking water, electricity and other essential services to facilitate the smooth conduct of religious gatherings and processions.
Expressing grave concern over reports that several young men who participated in demonstrations relating to recent developments involving Iran have allegedly been booked under the Public Safety Act and lodged in jails outside Jammu & Kashmir, Ms. Mufti said such actions are deeply troubling and risk further alienating the youth.
She said that the use of harsh laws against young people, particularly during the sacred month of Muharram, is both insensitive and counterproductive.
“Muharram is a time when people mourn and remember the sacrifices made in Karbala. It is a period of reflection, compassion and solidarity with those who suffer. At such a sensitive moment, the government should be engaging with its people, listening to their concerns and healing wounds rather than adding to their pain through punitive measures,” Ms. Mufti said.
She urged the administration to immediately review all such cases, release those detained and refrain from further coercive measures. She stressed that dialogue and engagement remain the most effective means of addressing public sentiment and grievances.
The PDP President also called upon the authorities to permit Ashura processions and all traditional Muharram observances in a dignified and peaceful manner. She said that religious processions are an integral part of the region’s cultural and spiritual heritage and must be facilitated in a manner that respects the sentiments and constitutional rights of the people.
“Muharram is a time of reflection, sacrifice and remembrance. The values embodied by Imam Hussain (AS) continue to inspire people to stand for justice, compassion and human dignity. It is incumbent upon the government to ensure that mourners are able to observe these sacred days freely and peacefully,” Ms. Mufti said.
She appealed to people across Jammu & Kashmir to uphold the spirit of Muharram through patience, unity, mutual respect and service to humanity while remembering the universal message of Karbala that continues to resonate across generations.
