
J-K: Iran, Palestine Flags And Khamenei Posters Seen During Muharram Procession In Srinagar
Police had asked Shias not to hoist Iran, Palestine, or Hezbollah flags and display Iran's supreme leader or any other picture but despite the restrictions they displayed flags of Iran and Hezbollah and banners supporting Iran, Palestine and Hezbollah during the Muharram procession to express solidarity amid rising tensions in West Asia even as police had warned against such actions.
They also displayed pictures of Ayatullah Aga Syed Ali Khamenei, Ayatullah Aga Khamenei, and Hassan Nasrullah, Hezbollah.
These Shia people said that these demonstrations reflect a historical and emotional connection between the Shia community of Kashmir and the geopolitical conflicts of Iran and Palestine, often seen as a form of resistance against oppression.
Today, on 4 June 2025, the Shia community in Srinagar took out a Muharram procession through the traditional route from Guru Bazar to Dalgate amid tight security. The procession passed through Lal Chowk and M A Road to Dalgate.
Security was kept very vigilant, and the entire route of the procession was kept traffic-free so that the procession could proceed smoothly. There is no restriction on the size of Tazia here, like other states, but the authorities have issued several instructions on what to do and what not to do.
It is worth mentioning that this 8th day procession was banned from 1991 to 2023 due to terrorism, but in 2023, when the LG government said that the situation is better and the ban on this procession was lifted.

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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
HC allows 2 Sufi groups to take out Muharram processions in Howrah
Kolkata: Calcutta High Court on Friday granted permission to two Sufi groups to take out Muharram processions in Howrah on Sunday. The court, however, kept the Khajutty Amtala "Quarbala" out of bounds for both processions. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh directed the two groups to take out processions in two different routes and two different timings. The court held that the "Quarbala" was the "conflict point" and thus no group would be allowed at the spot. Justice Ghosh left it to the police to decide on the end points of the two processions. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata The counsel for the respondents said in court that participants of their 2024 Muharram procession had come under attack. The counsel pointed out that the court had earlier denied permission to the other group to take out a procession because the Khajutty Sufism Matharia Organisation was registered in South 24 Parganas and not in Howrah. The president of the organisation submitted before court that he would ensure that no one from South 24 Parganas participated in the procession. Justice Ghosh directed police to disperse participants in the event of a breach of peace.


The Hindu
5 hours ago
- The Hindu
Writers, thinkers, criticise govt. order against Muharram
The government's decision to ban Muharram celebrations in some villages in a few districts owing to possible law and order disturbances, has come under fire from intellectuals and writers, who say the festival that promotes harmony should be encouraged and not banned. Citing concerns over law and order, district administrations in Ballari and Raichur have imposed prohibitory orders in several villages during the observance of Muharram. The restrictions prohibit public gatherings, processions, and the installation of symbolic structures (Panjas) in specific areas known for communal sensitivities. In Ballari, Deputy Commissioner Prashant Kumar Mishra and Deputy Commissioner K. Nitish issued the orders, under provisions of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, following intelligence reports that indicated a potential for tensions during Muharram observances in 21 villages in Ballari district and in 23 villages in Raichur district, respectively. The officers cited past incidents of clashes involving youth from different communities during Muharram as the reason for the decision. The aim, they added in the orders, was to prevent any threat to public safety, life, or property. Officials clarified that the restrictions are precautionary, not absolute bans, but reasonable restrictions. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Mishra said that similar restrictions were imposed in the past as well, after evaluating the law and order situations in certain villages. 'This is not a blanket prohibition on the observance of Muharram. The decision is based on police intelligence inputs and is imposed every year in sensitive areas to maintain peace. These are specific restrictions on certain activities. It is not a new thing as the administration does it every year,' he said. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a period of mourning that commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala. In many parts of Kalyana Karnataka, Muharram is observed with communal harmony, where both Muslims and Hindus participate in the rituals with mutual respect and solidarity, displaying the region's tradition of peaceful and harmonious coexistence. Janekal, a village in Raichur district with no Muslim households, is a notable example where locals have traditionally observed Muharram by inviting a Muslim family from a neighbouring village to perform the rituals. However, the district administration banned the observance there following a violent clash between Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in 2013—an incident reportedly unrelated to the festival. 'The administration should focus on identifying and acting against troublemakers, rather than restricting religious or cultural practices that have long fostered unity,' said Channabasava, a resident of Janekal. Authorities maintain that the orders are temporary and purely intended to preserve communal peace during a sensitive period. Bellary based writer and publisher Lohia Chanabasavanna said that this was a regressive step. 'Muharram is not a festival of Muslims but of all communities. The government should support it and not ban it. If the government has specific intelligence input about any law and order issue in any village, it should depute additional police force and allow the festival, and not curb it,' he said. Ladai Basu, writer and activist based in Gadag, said that such orders were an indication of the deep penetration of the right wing elements in to the government set-up. 'Such officers are disturbing harmony by crafting such inputs that lead to banning of such cultural events. The government should identify and weed them out. Otherwise, there will be no difference between this government and the earlier government,' Mr. Basu said. Sabiha Bhoomi Gowda, former Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka State Akkamahadevi Women's University, recalls her childhood in Gajendragad where she watched the whole town celebrate Muharram. 'No one termed it a Muslim festival. There is no point banning such festivals. They bind the society together. We need more such celebrations, in these days where divisive forces are at work relentlessly,' she said. I may miss other festivals, but I do not miss the annual Muharram in my village of Bedkihal. The Alabi deities are treated as village deities. It is a time for home coming for labourers who have migrated to Bengaluru and Mumbai, Dadasaheb S. Chougale, theatre personality, said. As an artist, I feel it is a cultural event and not a religious festival. It is unfortunate that officers are trying to stifle them, he said. Yallappa Himmadi, chairman, Basavaraj Kattimani trust, spoke of Muharram celebrations in villages without a single Muslim families across northern Karnataka. 'The government should take a stand in favour of equality, liberalism and secularism and allow Muharram celebrations,' he said. Thinker Rahamat Tarikere, who has studied and documented Muharram traditions across Karnataka and some other States, said festivals like Muharram were tools for reconciliation and friendship between communities and families. 'There may have been some law and order problems in some villages in the past during Muharram, but we should give an opportunity for healing. We should promote more such festivals to reduce hatred and promote harmony, rather than keeping communities isolated. Entire rural communities should not suffer a cultural punishment due to the mistakes of criminal elements,' he said.
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First Post
5 hours ago
- First Post
Weakened and exhausted, Hezbollah explores if it can give up more arms
Hezbollah has since relinquished a number of weapons depots in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese armed forces as stipulated in last year's truce, though Israel says it has struck military infrastructure there still linked to the group read more Women walk near destroyed buildings, with one holding the flag of Hezbollah, in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila. File image/ Reuters Hezbollah has undertaken a comprehensive strategic assessment in the aftermath of its deadly conflict with Israel, which includes considering reducing its position as an armed force without entirely disarming, according to three individuals involved with the discussions. The internal negotiations, which have not yet been concluded and have not previously been disclosed, highlight the severe challenges that the Iran-backed Lebanese terrorist organisation has faced since a truce was agreed in late November. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israeli forces continue to target Hezbollah-controlled areas, accusing the organisation of cease-fire breaches, which it denies. It is also dealing with acute financial pressures, US demands for disarmament, and less political influence since a new government was formed in February with US backing. The group's difficulties have been exacerbated by seismic shifts in the regional power balance since Israel crushed its leadership, killed thousands of its militants, and destroyed much of its weapons last year. Bashar al-Assad, Hezbollah's Syrian ally, was overthrown in December, cutting off a vital weaponry supply line from Iran. A regional security source and a senior Lebanese official told Reuters that Tehran is now recovering from its own bruising battle with Israel, raising questions about how much help it can provide. Another senior insider, who is aware with Hezbollah's internal debates, said the party was conducting secret conversations about its future moves. Small committees have been meeting in person or remotely to discuss issues including its leadership structure, political role, social and development work, and weapons, the official said on condition of anonymity. The official and two other sources familiar with the discussions indicated Hezbollah has concluded that the arsenal it had amassed to deter Israel from attacking Lebanon had become a liability. Hezbollah 'had an excess of power,' the official said. 'All that strength turned into a weak point.' Under the leadership of Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed last year, Hezbollah grew into a regional military player with tens of thousands of fighters, rockets and drones poised to strike Israel. It also provided support to allies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israel came to regard Hezbollah as a significant threat. When the group opened fire in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas at the start of the Gaza war in 2023, Israel responded with airstrikes in Lebanon that escalated into a ground offensive. Hezbollah has since relinquished a number of weapons depots in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese armed forces as stipulated in last year's truce, though Israel says it has struck military infrastructure there still linked to the group. Hezbollah is now considering turning over some weapons it has elsewhere in the country - notably missiles and drones seen as the biggest threat to Israel - on condition Israel withdraws from the south and halts its attacks, the sources said. But the group won't surrender its entire arsenal, the sources said. For example, it intends to keep lighter arms and anti-tank missiles, they said, describing them as a means to resist any future attacks. Hezbollah's media office did not respond to questions for this article. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Isreal's military said it would continue operating along its northern border in accordance with the understandings between Israel and Lebanon, in order eliminate any threat and protect Israeli citizens. The US State Department declined to comment on private diplomatic conversations, referring questions to Lebanon's government. Lebanon's presidency did not respond to questions. For Hezbollah to preserve any military capabilities would fall short of Israeli and US ambitions. Under the terms of the ceasefire brokered by the US and France, Lebanon's armed forces were to confiscate 'all unauthorized arms', beginning in the area south of the Litani River - the zone closest to Israel. Lebanon's government also wants Hezbollah to surrender the rest of its weapons as it works to establish a state monopoly on arms. 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STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Nearly a dozen sources familiar with Hezbollah's thinking said the group wants to keep some arms, not only in case of future threats from Israel, but also because it is worried that Sunni Muslim jihadists in neighbouring Syria might exploit lax security to attack eastern Lebanon, a Shi'ite-majority region. Despite the catastrophic results of the latest war with Israel - tens of thousands of people were left homeless and swathes of the south and Beirut's southern suburbs were destroyed - many of Hezbollah's core supporters want it to remain armed. Um Hussein, whose son died fighting for Hezbollah, cited the threat still posed by Israel and a history of conflict with Lebanese rivals as reasons to do so. 'Hezbollah is the backbone of the Shi'ites, even if it is weak now,' she said, asking to be identified by a traditional nickname because members of her family still belong to Hezbollah. 'We were a weak, poor group. Nobody spoke up for us.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hezbollah's immediate priority is tending to the needs of constituents who bore the brunt of the war, the sources familiar with its deliberations said. In December, Secretary General Naim Qassem said Hezbollah had paid more than $50 million to affected families with more than $25 million still to hand out. But there are signs that its funds are running short. One Beirut resident said he had paid for repairs to his apartment in the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs after it was damaged in the war only to see the entire block destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in June. 'Everyone is scattered and homeless. No one has promised to pay for our shelter,' said the man, who declined to be identified for fear his complaints might jeopardise his chances of receiving compensation. He said he had received cheques from Hezbollah but was told by the group's financial institution, Al-Qard Al-Hassan, that it did not have funds available to cash them. Reuters could not immediately reach the institution for comment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Other indications of financial strain have included cutbacks to free medications offered by Hezbollah-run pharmacies, three people familiar with the operations said. Squeezing Hezbollah finances Hezbollah has put the onus on Lebanon's government to secure reconstruction funding. But Foreign Minister Youssef Raji, a Hezbollah critic, has said there will be no aid from foreign donors until the state establishes a monopoly on arms. A State Department spokesperson said in May that, while Washington was engaged in supporting sustainable reconstruction in Lebanon, 'this cannot happen without Hezbollah laying down their arms'. Israel has also been squeezing Hezbollah's finances. The Israeli military said on June 25 that it had killed an Iranian official who oversaw hundreds of millions of dollars in transfers annually to armed groups in the region, as well as a man in southern Lebanon who ran a currency exchange business that helped get some of these funds to Hezbollah. Iran did not comment at the time, and its U.N. mission did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters. Since February, Lebanon has barred commercial flights between Beirut and Tehran, after Israel's military accused Hezbollah of using civilian aircraft to bring in money from Iran and threatened to take action to stop this. Lebanese authorities have also tightened security at Beirut airport, where Hezbollah had free rein for years, making it harder for the group to smuggle in funds that way, according to an official and a security source familiar with airport operations. Such moves have fuelled anger among Hezbollah's supporters towards the administration led by President Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam, who was made prime minister against Hezbollah's wishes. Alongside its Shi'ite ally, the Amal Movement, Hezbollah swept local elections in May, with many seats uncontested. The group will be seeking to preserve its dominance in legislative elections next year. Nabil Boumonsef, deputy editor-in-chief of Lebanon's Annahar newspaper, said next year's poll was part of an 'existential battle' for Hezbollah. 'It will use all the means it can, firstly to play for time so it doesn't have to disarm, and secondly to make political and popular gains,' he said.