July 13 Martyrs

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Omar Abdullah Slams Restrictions on July 13 Martyrs’ Graveyard Visit, Calls It Undemocratic

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Omar Abdullah

Omar Abdullah Remembers the Martyrs of 1931

Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah paid tribute on Sunday to the martyrs of July 13, 1931, solemnly remembering their courage and sacrifice. He honoured them as brave souls who stood firm against tyranny and gave their lives for justice, dignity, and democracy in the region. Their resistance, he said, sparked a collective awakening that still guides the people of Jammu and Kashmir today.

A Legacy That Cannot Be Erased

Omar Abdullah asserted that the memory of the 1931 martyrs lives on, their truth cannot be silenced, and their legacy remains a source of inspiration. He stressed that this day stands as a powerful reminder that courage is enduring and that freedom, once awakened, cannot be undone. He added that honouring the martyrs means living by the values they died defending.

Sharp Criticism of Government Restrictions in Srinagar

Alongside his tribute, Omar Abdullah strongly criticised the government’s decision to impose heavy restrictions in Srinagar on July 13. He expressed anger over the denial of public access to the Martyrs’ Graveyard at Naqshband Sahib, where the 1931 heroes are buried. The move, he said, went against democratic values and the people’s right to remember their past.

Allegations of Lockdowns and Forceful Measures

Abdullah accused the authorities of turning parts of Srinagar into a locked-down zone. “Homes have been locked from the outside, police and central forces deployed as jailers, and major bridges blocked,” he said. He condemned these actions as an attempt to prevent people from paying respects to those who gave their lives to empower Kashmiris.

A Question for the Authorities

Questioning the motives behind the government’s actions, Omar said, “I will never understand what the Law & Order government is so afraid of.” His words reflected deep concern over the shrinking space for public memory, civil liberty, and democratic expression in Kashmir.

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BJP Leader Sunil Sharma Sparks Controversy Over July 13 Martyrs, Calls Them “Traitors”

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Sunil Sharma

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sunil Sharma on Wednesday said those who rebelled against Maharaja Hari Singh’s rule in J&K were anti-nationals, adding that “traitors cannot be called as martyrs.”

Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Sharma, who is the Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly, said martyrs day cannot be celebrated in the name of traitors and anti-nationals. He said July 13 should be remembered in the name of Maqbool Sherwani, Major Somnath Sharma, Brigadier Rajinder Singh and others who rendered their services to the nation and protected J&K from the enemy.

“We are saying it in and outside the assembly and we will continue it that traitors cannot be accorded with the title of martyr,” Sharma said.He said those killed on July 13, 1931 outside Central Jail Srinagar were arsonists. “I want to tell you today that those killed on July 13 set a Hindu area on fire first, and then started resistance against Maharaja’s rule. These people were made martyrs by the Congress party, but under Narendra Modi rule they cannot be considered as martyrs,” Sharma said.

He also accused the Speaker of acting biased and the representative of a particular party.

Earlier, the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday witnessed uproarious scenes over remarks made by BJP leader Sunil Sharma, who called the July 13 martyrs as “traitors”.

During the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s address, Peoples Democratic Party leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, demanded the restoration of the July 13 Martyrs Day holiday.

As Parra concluded his speech, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma stood up and objected to his demand.

“They were not martyrs but traitors,” Sharma said, evoking widespread protests from the Treasury benches as well as from Kashmir-based opposition parties. The leaders demanded that the remarks should be expunged from the records of the House.

“These remarks are humiliating and divisive and should be withdrawn or expunged from the records,” demanded MLA Bandipora Nizam-ud-Din Bhat. Amid continuous slogan shouting between the Treasury Benches and BJP, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather announced that the remarks had been expunged from the records of the House.

Afterwards all the BJP MLAs staged a walkout from the House in protest against the expunging of Sharma’s remarks.

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