Srinagar: Thousands missed Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at Hazratbal shrine due to alleged mismanagement and hegemony of shrine administration.
The shrine administration) had announced Eid prayers would take place at 10:30 a.m. but the schedule was changed to 10:15 a.m without prior announcement to the bother of hundreds, especially those coming in from far off places.
Scores of people visiting the Dargah were seen in high tempers after they missed the prayers. “The reason for my annoyance was the holding of Eid prayers 15 minutes ahead of schedule. I along with my friends had come all the way from Pampore area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district to offer Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at Hazratbal shrine the senseless approach from the administration disappointed us all,” Abdul Rashid told news agency Kashmir News Trust.
Another local from Wathoora Chadura, Aqeel Ahmed Khan said that for many years, they have been coming here to attend Eid congregation. “This year too, we were here to offer Eid prayers but missed it due to the autocratic decision of the shrine administration.
“We are really frustrated and disappointed this time around for missing Eid prayers at Dargah Hazratbal,” he said.
Heated exchanges between visitors and shrine administration were also seen.