Srinagar, July 6 -- Addressing a large gathering of mourners at Imambargah Bemina in Srinagar outskirts, Aga Hadi said the Shia community would not remain silent if mourners were targeted by the administration.

"If they arrest our boys after the 14th [of Muharram], we will all offer ourselves for mass arrest," Hadi declared. "Let's see how big their jails are. We haven't violated the Constitution or committed any breach of law. So why are FIRs being filed? Are we criminals or thieves?"

He voiced deep concern over what he described as disrespectful conduct by police personnel toward mourners who were commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain.

"What's the idea behind open FIRs? Their careers are now at stake just because they mourned f...