Srinagar: Leaders of the Peoples’ Conference on Wednesday paid tributes to the martyrs of 13th July 1931 and pledged to carry forward their sacrifices as an inspiration for the future struggle of Kashmiris.
For centuries, Martyr’s day was observed on 13 July, In 1931, 21 civilians were killed by the Dogra government led by Hari Singh after Abdul Qader (a Kashmiri cook) gave a rebellious speech against atrocities and called for the end of Dogra rule in Jammu and Kashmir.
After the autonomous status of J&K was lost on 5 August 2019, the martyrs day holiday was canceled by the Modi government.
For the third consecutive year, there was no official commemoration of Martyrs’ Day.
“The movement against the monarchy was started and led by the people of Kashmir, who immortalised their courageous fight by rendering the ultimate sacrifice of their lives,” PC said in a statement.
“Their valiant struggle in 1931 was for change and for the empowerment and dignity of Kashmiris. The dream of Change that Peoples’ Conference stands committed to is inspired from the spirit of Change that was nurtured and sown by the martyrs in 1931", the statement said.
The leaders further stated that the sacrifices of those martyrs would continue to inspire people of J&K to fight for their democratic rights, dignity, and justice, the statement said.
