SinceArticle 370 and 35A were scrapped on August 5, 2019, the security situation hasimproved dramatically, and Hindus of the valley are feeling safe celebratingthese festivals in the open.
OnAugust 5, 2019, the Union government scrapped Article 370 and 35A, therebyending the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
It isfor the first time in 32 years, since the Kashmiri Hindus genocide perpetratedby Islamists with help of Pakistan, that the Hindu festival procession is beingcarried out like this at Lal Chowk. Earlier this month, the Lal Chowk was alsolit up for the Independence Day celebrations. This, too, happened for the firsttime in years.
Janmashtamior Gokulashtmi, was celebrated with great spiritual fervour and vehemence bythe members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, in the Kashmir Valley on Monday.
Thefestival that marks the birth of lord Krishna, the ninth incarnation of LordVishnu, is celebrated globally by his devotees.
TheKashmiri Pandits who had not migrated from Kashmir following the militancy inthe early 90s, were seen visiting temples in Srinagar to offer their prayers.The community members including women and children were joined by governmentemployees from various departments and security personnel from paramilitaryforces.
FormerChief Ministers, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti also wished the community onthe occasion.
Processionswere taken out in various parts of Srinagar, including the historical LalChowk. To mark the occasion, the Muslim community also welcomed the religiousprocessions in colorful attires.
Theprocessions were taken out from 200-year old Ganpathyar Temple, situated on thebank of sacred Vistasta. The last procession on the occasion were carried outin 2018 in Srinagar, which could not happen for the next to two years due tocurfew restrictions and covid-19 protocols.
As perreports, the procession was organised by the devotees of the ISKCON Temple atTanki Pora Habba Kadal.