Srinagar: Citing dictation, Imran Reza Ansari, a prominent Kashmiri Shia leader walked out of a meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday.
The LG administration was reportedly considering the possibility of lifting the ban on Muharram processions held on the occasions of 8th and 10th Muharram in the Valley. These processions were traditionally conducted in the Lal Chowk and Dalgate areas before the outbreak of armed rebellion against India in the 1990s.
However, the Shia leader said that the walkout followed a "heated exchange of comments" between Imran Ansari and Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta.
In the meeting, Imran Ansari expressed his concerns to the Lieutenant Governor, stating that the administration seemed more worried about Amarnath than addressing the Shia community's needs, he told reporters after walking out.
Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta accused Imran of being sectarian in his remarks, he said.
Imran Ansari, heading the All Jammu And Kashmir Shia Association, stressed that he only pointed out the lack of visits to Shia areas during Muharram by senior officials, in contrast to their multiple visits to the Amarnath shrine.
Imran walked out of the meeting when he sensed he was being given dictation and told to “keep quiet by the Lieutenant Governor.”
"I couldn’t take the dictation," Imran Ansari asserted.
Moreover, J&K Peoples Conference strongly condemned the “behaviour displayed by the state administration towards their leader Imran Reza Ansari.”
In a press release, the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over the treatment meted out to Mr. Imran Reza Ansari, a prominent religious leader of the Shia Community, by the state administration.
The JKPC spokesperson issued a statement denouncing the “behaviour of certain bureaucrats who, in the hybrid model of administration, have taken on the roles of both politicians and bureaucrats. The party alleged that this particular group of politico-bureaucrats seemed to take pleasure in humiliating political and religious leaders alike.”
"We express deep concern over this dangerous precedent being set by the administration. It started with the humiliation of political leaders, and now they are moving into the domain of humiliating religious leaders," the PC spokesperson stated.
The party spokesperson reminded the bureaucrats that they were mere instruments in the larger political scheme and accused the central leadership of imposing a selected group on the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The JKPC spokesperson further emphasized that it was not appropriate for the head of the state administration, even if they were regrettably selected and not elected, to preside over and facilitate the humiliation of a religious leader who had been cordially invited.
The JKPC's strong condemnation of the state administration's conduct towards Mr. Imran Ansari has drawn attention to the treatment of political and religious leaders in the region and raised concerns about the implications of such actions on the political landscape.
Meanwhile, LG administration said that LG Manoj Sinha chaired a high level meeting to review arrangements for Muharram and attended by heads of religious organisations, eminent members of Shia Community; Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; M.K Sinha, ADGP Hqrs; Vijay Kumar, ADGP Kashmir; Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Administrative Secretaries; Deputy Commissioners; Heads of Departments and other senior officers of UT administration.
The Lt Governor directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure improved connectivity to Imambaras, power supply, availability of extra ration, water and basic amenities, regular market inspection, cleanliness, traffic management, best possible medical facilities to the people, said the statement.
He also sought valuable inputs from the eminent representatives of Shia Community on the Muharram arrangements. The Lt Governor assured prompt and appropriate steps to address the issues and demands raised during the interaction.