Several political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, including PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, have alleged being placed under house arrest by authorities to prevent them from visiting the ‘martyrs’ graveyard’ on July 13th. This day commemorates the killing of 22 Kashmiris by the army of a Dogra ruler in 1931.
Mehbooba Mufti, a former Chief Minister, condemned the lockdown of her residence in Khimber, stating, “The gates of my house have been locked up yet again to prevent me from visiting Mazar e Shuhada – a symbol of Kashmir’s resistance against oppression.” She criticized the criminalization of remembering those martyred on this day and highlighted the impact of the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 on Kashmir’s autonomy.
Sajad Lone, chairman of the People’s Conference, questioned the rationale behind his alleged house arrest.
“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,” Lone said on X.
“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,” Lone said.
Nasir Aslam Wani, NC’s provincial president, Kashmir, also reported his gate being locked by police to prevent paying respects at the graves of the martyrs. Salman Sagar, NC’s youth wing president, shared visuals of his locked residence, claiming similar restrictions on his movements.
“The gate has been locked and police personnel deployed to stop us from going to pay our respects at martyrs’ graves. I don’t understand why. We will always remember their sacrifices,” Wani said.
Police also prevented leaders of the Apni Party, led by Altaf Bukhari, from visiting the graveyard. Despite this, they conducted prayers on the road in tribute to the 22 Kashmiris.
Omar Abdullah, NC vice president, pledged to officially commemorate July 13th from next year onwards. He criticized the administration’s actions as attempts to ignore the sacrifices made for a fair and democratic regime in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Another 13th July, Martyr’s Day, another round of locked gates and police excesses to stop people from paying homage to those who sacrificed their lives to establish a just, fair and democratic regime in J-K,” Abdullah said in a post on X.
“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 and respect this day deserves,” he said.
The Supreme Court has mandated the Union government to conclude assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30th this year.
NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi condemned restrictions on paying respects, labeling them as disrespect to democratic values.
July 13th, previously a public holiday in Jammu and Kashmir, lost its status in 2020 after the Article 370 abrogation. Traditionally, this day involved official functions and visits to the martyrs’ graveyard, symbolizing resistance against Maharaja Hari Singh’s rule.
This year, despite no official functions, officials enforced restrictions in the Naqshbandh area of Nowhatta to “prevent gatherings and maintain law and order”.
