Shia Muslims hold religious flags as they take part in the eighth day of the Muharram procession in the city center of Srinagar, on June 24, 2026.
| Photo Credit: IMRAN NISSAR
With stringent police advisories over hoisting flags and photographs of terrorists of national and international groups, a Shia Muharram procession was allowed on the traditional six-kilometre-long route in the city centre in Srinagar on Wednesday (June 24, 2026) and was attended by hundreds of mourners and Shia priests.
Shia mourners, including women and children, assembled in Srinagar’s Guru Bazar around 6 a.m. and the procession culminated at Dalgate around 9 a.m. The Muharram procession was banned after militancy broke out in 1989 on the traditional route and was allowed by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration in 2023.
A day ahead of the procession the J&K Police issued an advisory. “Hoisting of flags with provocative slogans, texts , photographs of terrorists or logos of banned organizations (national/international) is strictly prohibited,” read the police advisory.
Shia Muslims take part in the eighth day of the Muharram procession in the city center of Srinagar, on June 24, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
IMRAN NISSAR
“We had appealed to mourners to maintain peace and follow a discipline. We did not want the administration to use any excuse to ban the Muharram procession again. However, the timeframe set for processions and disbursement is not acceptable to us. It’s not possible to disperse around 11 a.m. We urged that the timeframe be up to evening prayers,” said Shia cleric Masroor Abbas Ansari.
He said there were “stringent directions” because of the protests earlier this year. “Our youths were arrested after protests against the U.S. and Israel over Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei on February 28. The administration should not lay down too many stringent directives,” said Mr. Ansari.
The police took extra measures because of the recent spurt in pro-Iran street rallies after the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, which was followed by cases against protesters under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 .
The administration’s advisory came following the reports of flags of Lebanon-based Hezbollah and its deceased leader Hassan Nasrallah during the Muharram procession last year. The picture of assassinated Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani also figured on posters during the procession.
The administration also warned against raising anti national or anti-administration speeches, sloganeering or propaganda. “No act prejudicial to the security and sovereignty of the State shall be permitted. National symbols and emblems shall be respected at all times,” said the police advisory. The administration also barred the use of drones during the processing.
“We have held extensive discussions with volunteers and organisers to ensure all arrangements are implemented properly and the events are conducted smoothly,” Inspector General of Police V.K. Birdi said. He appreciated the cooperation extended by volunteers and members of the organising committee in maintaining discipline and assisting the authorities in managing the event.
Published – June 25, 2026 02:58 am IST
