Srinagar: Since the government of India revoked the autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, observing Kashmir Martyrs' Day has been
prohibited under the New Delhi-run administration, with unionists allegedly placed under house arrest for the fifth consecutive year.
July 13 is observed as Martyrs' Day to remember those Kashmiris who were protesting against the tyranny of the autocracy and were killed by the
Dogra forces in 1931.
When the public holiday list for 2020 was issued by the Government of India in December 2019, Kashmir Martyrs’ Day observed on July 13 was dropped and October 26 was added as ‘Accession Day’ in the list. Later Hari Singh’s birthday was added as the holiday.
The former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah has expressed hope that next year Martyrs' Day will be observed with the solemnity and respect that the day deserves, once the elected government is formed.
In a post on X, he said: “Another 13th July, Martyr’s Day, another round of locked gates & police excesses to stop people from paying homage to those who sacrificed their lives to establish a just, fair & democratic regime in J&K. Everywhere else in the country these people would have been celebrated but in J&K the administration wants to ignore these sacrifices. This is the last year they will be able to do this. InshaAllah next year we will mark 13th July with the solemnity & respect this day deserves.”
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has also denounced the restrictions, stating that their cause will never go in vain.
“We stand in strong opposition to the unlawful restrictions imposed on our leaders today, July 13th. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for justice, equality, and truth. Their legacy is a beacon of hope and inspiration, urging us to continue their struggle. We honor their courage by remaining steadfast in our commitment to these ideals, ensuring that their fight was not in vain,” JKNC said in a post.
People’s Conference’s Sajad Lone directly slammed the administration, stating that the non-residential government should not interfere and must not deny the historical record.
“For no reason informed of being under house arrest. I really fail to understand what the administration gets in stopping people from going to the martyrs graveyard. People have a right to choose their heroes. And the martyrs are heroes for the people of Kashmir. Why be in a denial and why on earth would a non resident government need to meddle in it,” lone said in a post on X.
“Actually believing that a government will decide on what has been historically heroic and who are the historical heroes is an unambiguous sign of despotism,” reads the post.
PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti also reported locked gates of her house preventing her from visiting the graveyard.
“The gates of my house have been locked up yet again to prevent me from visiting Mazar e Shuhada - an enduring symbol of Kashmir’s resistance & resilience against authoritarianism, oppression & injustice. The sacrifices of our martyrs is a testament that the spirit of Kashmiri’s cannot be crushed,” she said.
“Today even observing it in remembrance of the protesters martyred on this day has been criminalised. On 5th August, 2019 J&K was dismembered, disempowered & stripped of everything that was sacrosanct for us. They intend to erase each one of our collective memories. But such assaults will only strengthen our determination to continue the fight for our rights & dignity,” she added.