By TCN Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: In wake of Muharram, the district administration has sought time from both sects – Shias and Sunnis — of the Muslim community for any final decision on demands of pending processions. District Magistrate (DM) Anil Kumar Sagar also appealed to the community for exercising restrain and maintaining peace.
“We have received several memorandums regarding permission for taking out some processions. There was demand from both the sects of Muslim community. No final decision could be taken due to paucity of time,” said DM Sagar. The DM confirmed that he has received memorandums demanding permission for a ‘zari ka juloos’ from Shia community to be taken out on the tenth day of Muharram, a procession on 12th Rabiul Awwal (Barawafat) by Mohammadi Mission and another procession on first day of Muharram by Sunni community. “We have received all these memorandums but a meeting could not be convened due to shortage of time,” said DM. He stated that clerics from both the community could
not be contacted as they are out of station. DM AK Sagar, however, assured that a decision will be taken amicably soon after holding talks with both the parties.
The processions in Lucknow had a long history of controversy. After violent clashes between the two communities the processions were banned in 1977. Later during the regime of BJP, the then chief minister Kalyan Singh broke the ice and permitted some processions. There was a tripartite agreement between Shias, Sunnis and administration in which nine processions were permitted for Shias and one procession for the Sunnis. The Shia community had placed a demand for 953 processions. Since then both the communities have been demanding permission for taking out more processions. The district administration, however, had not given permission and only the permitted processions are allowed under heavy security cover.