On the eve of July 13, which historically marked the martyrs’ day in Kashmir, political leaders from Kashmir alleged that they were prevented from participating in the commemoration.
On July 13, 23 Kashmiris were killed near the central jail in Srinagar while offering Adhan. They had gathered with thousands to witness the legal trial of one commoner, Abdul Qadir Khan. For several decades, the day was officially observed as martyrs day in Kashmir, however, after the fall of regional government in 2019, July 13 was dropped from the list of official events.
Jammu Kashmir Apni Party alleged that a party of Jammu Kashmir Police prevented Altaf Bukhari and other Apni Party leaders from visiting martyrs’ graveyard in Srinagar.
Sajad Lone and Mehbooba Mufti claimed that they have been put under house arrest.
Reacting sharply to her house arrest, Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, 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. 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.”
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… pic.twitter.com/Q3cHoHyryp
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 13, 2024
“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,” Omar Abdullah said while paying tributes to the July 13 martyrs.
Chairman of People’s Conference Sajad Lone said, “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. 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.”