Opinion | Muharram Processions Revived Under LG Sinha’s Leadership

Manoj Sinha, whose background and faith differ from the people he serves, chose a different path. He did not stop at lifting the ban. Since 2023, he has joined the Muharram processions in person. He has walked alongside mourners, offered chadar on Zuljanah, and stood with Shia families during their most sacred days.

Kashmir has always been a land of political tension, but never of communal violence. When I say that, I do not ignore the tragedy of the Kashmiri Pandit exodus. But that wasn’t the doing of common Kashmiris. It was driven by external forces, primarily Pakistan, and in many ways, ordinary Kashmiris were victims too. Broadly speaking, communal issues have never taken root here. Even today, Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs, and Christians continue to live with dignity and respect across the Valley. When it comes to sectarian divisions within the Muslim community, they’ve largely been limited to debates and discussions inside mosques or Imam Bargahs. Physical violence on the streets has never been part of that dynamic. Around 15 to 20 percent of the population in Kashmir is Shia, mostly concentrated in districts like Budgam, Srinagar, and Baramulla. Despite our theological differences, there has never been any Shia-Sunni conflict that has led to casualties. We’ve always lived as brothers. Our ideological disagreements have never crossed into mudslinging or hostility. That said, J&K has always had a Sunni Muslim Chief Minister, and perhaps deep down, the Shia community has carried a quiet apprehension about being sidelined.

Muharram is the most important time for Shia Muslims everywhere, and the same holds true for Kashmir. But it’s not only the Shia community that participates. Sunni Muslims also join in with equal respect. Before 1989, the 8th Muharram procession in Kashmir used to be carried out with full zeal. It followed the traditional route from Guru Bazaar through Budshah Chowk and MA Road to Dalgate. That year, the state government led by Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah imposed a ban. The 10th Muharram procession, which traditionally moved from Botakadal to Zadibal, was also halted. I’m not here to blame individuals. Maybe it was a decision shaped by the circumstances of that time. But what troubles me is that in the decades since, despite six or seven state elections and multiple government changed, not one administration attempted to revive this deeply significant religious procession. A procession that could have reminded 20 percent of the population that they too are seen, respected, and empowered.

It took a non-local, non-Muslim leader to do what seven elected governments in Jammu and Kashmir could not. In 2023, under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the ban on the 8th and 10th Muharram processions in Srinagar was finally lifted. These processions are deeply significant for Kashmir’s Shia community. Yet for more than 30 years, every government either ignored the demand or avoided the responsibility. Manoj Sinha, whose background and faith differ from the people he serves, chose a different path. He did not stop at lifting the ban. Since 2023, he has joined the Muharram processions in person. He has walked alongside mourners, offered chadar on Zuljanah, and stood with Shia families during their most sacred days. His presence was not just symbolic. It carried sincerity and weight. In a place used to broken promises, here was a leader showing up, quietly and consistently. Many Kashmiris now see him not just as a governor but as someone who understands the value of religious dignity.

For decades, Shia voices were unheard in the corridors of power. Their demands were dismissed in the name of security, without any attempt at dialogue. But Sinha’s approach was not about managing a crowd, it was about listening to a community. He spoke less and did more. He instructed officials to ensure that not only were the processions allowed, but that they took place with full logistical support, safety, and respect. This wasn’t just administrative work. It was a statement that Kashmir belongs to all, and every community’s faith deserves space. In a region where identity politics often divides, his actions quietly united. That is leadership rooted in substance, not slogans.

Recently, Shia cleric and politician Imran Reza Ansari publicly thanked Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on his official X handle. He expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Shia community of Kashmir, not just for allowing the 8th and 10th Muharram processions, but also for the detailed arrangements made for their smooth conduct. This acknowledgment carries weight because the differences between Ansari and LG Sinha were not hidden. In July 2023, during a meeting regarding the Muharram processions, Ansari had walked out in disagreement. The tensions were visible. And yet, just a year later, the same leader is openly appreciating the LG’s effort and commitment. That shift is not small. It shows that Sinha didn’t just resolve a long-standing issue, but he earned trust. Through consistent action and genuine outreach, he has shown that governance in Kashmir can be inclusive, respectful, and responsive. This is why many believe he has won the hearts of Kashmiris, not through words, but through quiet diligence and clear results.

What started in 2023 as a long-overdue decision has now become a sustained and peaceful tradition. For two consecutive years, the 8th and 10th Muharram processions have taken place with full administrative support and public cooperation. The atmosphere has been one of dignity and mutual respect, with both religious and civil agencies working in sync. The participation of the Shia community has grown, but so has the involvement of Sunni neighbours and ordinary Kashmiris who see this not just as a sectarian matter but as a shared cultural right. These developments mark not only the revival of a religious ritual but the beginning of a new social compact, one where faith is honoured, differences are respected, and every voice is heard. LG Manoj Sinha may not belong to the region by birth, but through consistent action he has shown what it means to lead with intention. The trust he has earned is not given lightly in Kashmir. It is built, and he has built it step by step. The return of the Muharram processions is more than a change in policy. It is a sign of a changing Kashmir.

The writer is a student activist and can be reached at soulofkashmir1@gmail.com