Displaying no leniency for recalcitrant attitude against the government order over the Covid-19 lockdown, the City Police Hyderabad has whipped back the organizer and myriad of mourners by slapping several cases against them for taking out Muharram procession on Sunday citing the parade of self-flagellation pose a ‘grave danger’ to the health of the public.
It is said that the cases have been filed by Charminar, Rain Bazar, Dabeerpura, Mirchowk, and Chadrghat Police under various sections against the alleged violation of orders being issued by the Telangana Government.
One such case has been filed by the Charminar Police against the organizer of the procession Syed Waheeduddin Hyder Jaffery, Secretary Anjuman-e-Alavi, Shia Imamia Ithna Ashari Akhbari, Darulshifa along with Raza Abedi, Hyder Abedi, Syed Mohd Raza Zaidi @ Ali Pasha, Mir Mohammed Zaider Karbalai, Salaam, Mesam and Inayath Ali Baqri beside number of other azadaraan against carrying out procession.
“The case has been filed against huge gathering at Bhagya Laxhmi Mindir and more so using drums besides performing self flagellation (Matam) against the guidelines set in the permission granted to the organizer,” the FIR said.
“As per the guidelines issued by the Government of India and subsequent SOP by Ministry of health, GOI, the police said, large gatherings and congregations continue to remain prohibited. A GO.Ms.No.99 issued by the Government of Telangana on 31st July 2020 also in same vogue. Accordingly, the government has decided to keep the observance of Moharram simple and avoid mass gatherings. An appeal has been made to the devotees to perform and rites in their homes without accumulating into mass gathering and procession by following rules and guidelines in the wake of Corona Virus outbreak,” it further said.
“Though the permission was requested by the organizer, it was later denied due to situation created out of outbreak of covid-19 pandemic anticipating the grave danger to the public health. Subsequently an order issued by the ACP Hyderabad City Police. However, the above said persons along with others took out procession in violation of the orders and guidelines putting the public health into grave danger and even cause obstruction in free flow of the traffic thereby causing inconvenience to public again,” said the police in its FIR.
Appreciating the police department for the cooperation the officials have extended on the procession day, Syed Jafar Hussain, President Sada-e-Hussaini Foundation and Editor Sada-e-Hussaini Newspaper said, “Over 400 years of religious tradition was derailed due to pre-scheduling of the procession that if allowed as per the schedule, will take to its route smoothly. The procession was pushed out of schedule as some people misguided the police thereby cause inconveniency and has dashed out the profession from its routine ancient traditions.”
“The mourners (adazaran) too felt it regrettable that the historic Muharram procession on the commemoration day of the martyrdom of Hazrath Imam Hussayn (RA), has walled them off from the age-old legacy they were inherited with due to such alacrity,” rued Jaffer Hussain.
He also praised Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali for the support and co-operation he has extended for the peaceful conduct of the Bibi Ka Alam Muharram procession on the day.
