13 July 1931: Politicians accuse Govt of stopping them from paying tribute to Martyrs
Srinagar, July 31, KNT: Government Thursday barred people from visiting Martyrs Grave Yard at Naqashbandh Sahab Srinagar to offer their homage to July 13, 1931 Martyrs.
Almost every politician alleged that he or she was restricted from visiting the graveyard.
No official function has been held at the Martyrs’ graveyard ever since Jammu and Kashmir came under Centre’s rule when the BJP withdrew its support from the then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP in 2018. Even the official holiday on 13 July was annulled by the Bhartiya Janata Party.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was spotted walking on foot from his Gupkar-based residence to party office Nawai Subha after which National Conference, tweeted, “Despite the restrictions placed on JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah, which denied him security vehicles and ITBP cover, he chose to walk from his home to the Nawai Subh office. His purpose was to address the party workers who had gathered there to pay their heartfelt tributes to the 1931 Martyrs.”
Omar Abdullah also tweeted tagging Jammu and Kashmir Police saying that: “Don’t think that refusing to give me my escort vehicles & ITBP cover will stop me. I’ll walk to where I have to get to & that’s exactly what I’m doing now.”
“Now that I’ve got to the office & will go ahead with my program you will send everything. The fact is @JmuKmrPolice has stopped a lot of my senior colleagues from coming to the @JKNC_ office today by adopting the same tactics of stopping them in their homes. Notable amongst those stopped are Abdul Rahim Rather Sb, Ali Mohammad Sagar Sb, Ali Mohd Dar Sb and others, he said in another tweet.
Peoples Democratic Party president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was also barred by authorities to pay homage to 1931 Martyrs.
Mehbooba Mufti posted a video on Twitter showing she is not being allowed to come out from her residence. She tweeted: “I am under house arrest for wanting to visit Martyr’s graveyard today. This at a time when GOI has used its tall claims of normalcy in SC to justify an act of betrayal- the illegal abrogation of Article 370. BJPs own heroes Vir Sarvarkar, Shyama Prasad Mukheriji, Gowalkar & Godse who spread hatred & division can’t be forced on us. For us those who sacrificed their lives for democracy to take root in J&K will always be admired for their act of courage. We won’t allow you to distort our history or forget our heroes. On the occasion of Martyrs Day, I salute their courage for valiantly fighting against despots to the end.”
PDP said, “President Mehbooba Mufti has been put under house arrest & curbs imposed on the movement of senior leaders. Sad the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives for democracy are being dishonoured. Vehemently condemn the action of admin preventing us from commemorating the martyrs.”
Peoples Conference while taking to Twitter, said “Disturbed by the authorities’ decision to restrict the JKPC Provincial President Kashmir Khurshid Alam movement from paying homage to the martyrs of Kashmir at Mazhar-e-Shohada in Khanyar today.”
Alam stated that it is unfortunate that he along with other leaders of the party were unjustly detained and denied the opportunity to lead a peaceful gathering of party leaders and workers to offer prayers and pay tributes to the martyrs at Manzar-e-Shohda.
“This restriction on our peaceful assembly is deeply concerning and infringes upon our right to commemorate the martyrs. Despite this setback, our determination remains unwavering. We shall continue to honor and remember the martyrs in our hearts and work towards achieving their vision of a just and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir”, he concluded.
The ‘Day’ is commemorated to remember 22 Kashmiris who were killed in cold blood by the army of a Dogra ruler for raising their voice against autocracy.
Meanwhile, rich tributes were paid to 13 July Martyrs in other district headquarters and in Srinagar as well by different political parties. [KNT]
