J&K: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday thwarted attempts by mainstream political parties to pay homage to 22 Kashmiris killed by the Dogra ruler’s army on July 13, 1931.
Several political leaders, including former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, claim they were placed under house arrest to prevent them from visiting the ‘martyrs’ graveyard’.
Mufti, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief, alleged that the gates of her residence in Khimber were locked, calling it an attempt to prevent her from visiting the “enduring symbol of Kashmir’s resistance”. She criticized the administration’s actions as an effort to erase collective memories and suppress the observance of this historical event.
Similar claims of house arrest were made by Separatist-turned-mainstream politician and People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone and several National Conference (NC) leaders, including provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani. The Apni Party, led by Altaf Bukhari, attempted a march to the graveyard but was stopped by police, resulting in prayers being held on the road.
NC Vice President Omar Abdullah stated that this would be the last year such restrictions could be imposed, vowing to mark July 13 appropriately next year. He referenced the Supreme Court’s directive to the Union government to conclude the process for assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30 this year.
The day, which was previously a public holiday in the erstwhile state, was removed from the list of gazetted holidays in 2020. It traditionally saw mainstream political leaders visiting the ‘martyrs’ graveyard’ to pay respects to those who protested against Maharaja Hari Singh’s rule.
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