MUMBAI: Allow Muharram processions and rituals, an NGO urged Bombay high court, pointing out that curbs on local trains, shops, malls and restaurants were lifted.
“Mumbai has opened up and the state government further relaxed restrictions,” stated the petition by All-India Idaara-e-Tahafuz-Hussainiyat. It urged HC to allow processions from August 18-20 for two hours daily by “allowing 1,000 persons in mourning rituals with restrictions” and individual processions.
The petition stated that the August 9 unlock guidelines disallowed processions and stated that Muslims should observe Moharrum at home, like other religions. It does not permit taking out tazia (replica of the mausoleum of Imam Husain) and local administration’s nod was needed to set up sabeels (stalls where food and water is distributed). The petition stated that tazias are “an intrinsic part of the Shia religion, which have been carried out since centuries without which rituals of Moharrum are incomplete.”
Last year, HC allowed only one tazia with strict restrictions in the state. The NGO’s petition said strict 2020 Moharrum guidelines should be relaxed this year as the lockdown situation was not the same.
The matter is listed for hearing on Tuesday.
.jpg?w=600)
