The Sonitpur district administration in Assam has prohibited minors under the age of 18 from participating in Muharram processions. It has also prohibited the display of weapons with sharp edges during the processions.
On August 9, Tuesday Muharram will be celebrated. According to an official order issued on Saturday by the district magistrate (Sonitpur), the decision was made based on a report sent by the SP and a meeting convened by the administration with Muharram committees on July 30.
“Due to law and order reasons, during Muharram, machetes, spear, etc., won’t be allowed to be carried,” the order stated. It did, however, clarify that traditional sticks used in Muharram processions are permitted. “Minors below 18 years cannot participate in Muharram programmes,” it added.
However, additional SP Safiqul Hussain stated that the decision was made to ensure that minors are not injured during the celebrations. “In Tezpur, many boys participate in Muharram every year. The restriction on their participation is just a precautionary measure to save them from being accidentally injured,” he added.
According to state home department sources, the district authority has the authority to make such a decision based on the situation in their area.
According to district administration sources, a number of eviction drives have been conducted in Sonitpur since 2019 to demolish the homes of many minority families who have allegedly settled there illegally. In retaliation, they organised large-scale protests. Tezpur district headquarters also has a strong presence of defence forces.
The order also stated that Muharram processions will be permitted only on streets designated by the SP and that Muharram committees will be permitted to celebrate between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
A gathering of more than 500 people will be prohibited in the district during the festival, according to a previous assembly decision. Tezpur has about ten Muharram committees. “Every Muharram committee will have to take responsibility for ensuring peaceful celebrations, beside submitting the names, contacts and addresses of the volunteers to the police in advance,” an official said.
