Srinagar/Jammu, March 6— After BJP called Kashmir’s July 13 martyrs "traitors," sparking condemnation from political parties and leading to the
remarks being expunged from the J&K Assembly records, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asserted that their sacrifices remain indelible.
“The 22 people who gave their lives on July 13, 1931, did so for a voice, for rights. If their actions were wrong, why did Maharaja Hari Singh set up the Glancy Commission and announce elections?” Omar asked in the Assembly during the Motion of Thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s address.
He argued that these martyrs were labeled solely because they were Muslims.
“Across India, those who resisted autocracy weren’t called traitors. But here, because they were Muslims and fought for democracy, such labels come easily,” he said.
Addressing the PDP Para’s concern over the removal of the December 5 holiday, Omar said Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s stature wasn’t tied to its observance.
He said that he had considered abolishing the holiday during his tenure to reduce public holidays.
“If I had to remove holidays, I wanted to start with my grandfather’s to ensure fairness,” he said.
He added that Sheikh Abdullah’s contributions to Jammu and Kashmir would remain significant regardless of political decisions on holidays.
He also rejected BJP’s narrative that Article 370 fueled corruption, nepotism, and militancy.
“If Article 370 was the root cause of terrorism, why has it not stopped after its removal, especially in Jammu?” he asked.