The Delhi Police has issued a statement denying that the Chehlum procession in the city was a communal protest. The procession was held on September 7, 2023, to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Some social media users had shared videos of the procession, falsely claiming that it was a protest against the upcoming G-20 Summit.
The Delhi Police has said that the procession was held with due permission from the authorities and that there was no law and order issue. The police have also warned against spreading false news and communalising the event.
Taking note of the posts, the Delhi Police handle posted on X, formerly Twitter, "FALSE NEWS: Some social media handles are wrongly projecting videos of the Chehlum procession, as a communal protest before the G-20 Summit. The Chehlum procession is a traditional one and is carried out with due permission from law enforcing agencies. Please do not spread rumors (sic)."
The Chehlum procession is a traditional Shia Muslim observance that is held 40 days after Muharram. It is a time for mourning the deaths of Hazrat Hussain and his companions. The procession is usually peaceful, but there have been some incidents of violence in the past.
In 2020, a communal clash broke out in Delhi during the Chehlum procession. The clash left several people injured and caused widespread damage. The Delhi Police had to deploy additional forces to control the situation.
The Delhi Police is taking steps to prevent any such incidents from happening this year. The police have increased security in the areas where the Chehlum procession will be held. They have also appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony.
It is important to note that the Chehlum procession is a religious event and should not be politicised. It is also important to refrain from spreading false news and communalising the event.
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