SC Refuses Plea For Muharram Processions, Says 'Particular Community Will be Targeted for Covid Spread'

A three judge bench headed by CJI SA Bobde noted that a general order for the whole country can not be passed as it will that particular community for spreading COVID-19.

Muslim devotees crowd to take part in a ceremony at Alawe Bibi during the month of Muharram. (Image: AFP)

Citing the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the Supreme Court on Thursday declined the plea seeking for carrying out Muharram procession across the country. A top court bench comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde observed that the court can not pass a general order for the whole country as it would lead to chaos. The apex court was hearing a petition by Shia leader Syed Kalbe Jawad from Uttar Pradesh, who was seeking permission for carrying out Muharram processions on Saturday and Sunday across the country. The Lucknow-based petitioner in his PIL cited concessions given by the court to the Jain community to worship at three of their temples in Mumbai, and to the other community for conducting the Rath Yatra in Puri. Speaking on this note, the three judge bench said that in both the cases, events were happening at a particular place which allowed them to assess the risk. As quoted in reports, the three judge bench said, "You are seeking directions for the entire country. It is not possible to give general directions for the whole country. It will create chaos. That particular community will be targeted for spreading COVID-19... we do not want that." The apex court noted that such an order can put the entire community in difficulty and also asked the petitioner to approach the Allahabad High Court. Muharram considered to be the first month in the Islamic calendar or the Hijri calendar. The tenth day of Muharram is known as the Day of Ashura. It marks the day that Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. This is an important day especially for Shia Muslims who observe ‘mourning rituals' for honouring the martyrdom of Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī and his family. They honour the martyrs by prayer and abstinence. These rituals include storytelling, weeping, self-flagellation, and re-enactments of the Battle of Karbala. Participating in mourning rituals is considered to be a path for salvation. Shia Muslims also go for pilgrimage on this day.