Friday congregation at Hazratbal Dargah Shrine post lockdown
By: Tariq Shah
Srinagar
Large number of people including women and children had converged at the shrine of Dargah Hazratbal in connection with Friday prayers after a long time.
This reporter witnessed a huge rush of devotees at the shrine and the Friday prayers were held with SoP’s not in place. Although the government has asked the people to maintain social distance while converging for the Friday prayers, such caution has been thrown to winds.
It seemed that the pandemic was over and the people were doing their shopping and moving in Friday market of Hazratbal freely without maintaining any social distance.
Large number of ladies had converged to offer Friday prayers at Hazratbal Shrine on Friday today Pic By Tariq Shah
Good number of people were without masks while as many devotees were wearing masks. The transport facility was available and even in the vehicles, people were not maintaining any social distance.
Sumo service has been restored on Lal Chowk, Hazratbal route after the easing of lockdown but the people complained that they pay double the amount of prescribed government rate and there is no accountability. “We pay Rs 40 while the rate is Rs 20 per person for Hazratbal. These sumo drivers are taking full passengers but demanding double the rate from us”, said one devotees who had come to Hazratbal shrine to offer prayers.
