Several political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, including People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti and Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Saturday claimed that authorities have put them under “house arrest” to prevent them to pay homage to the people allegedly killed by the Army on this day in 1931.
“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 and resilience against authoritarianism, oppression and 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 and 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 and dignity,” Mufti posted on X.
Omar Abdullah also expressed outrage over “police excesses” to stop people from paying homage to those who sacrificed their lives to establish a “just, 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.
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,” Abdullah posted on X.
Sajad Lone, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC) chairman also claimed that he has been put under 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. People have a right to choose their heroes.
And the martyrs are heroes for the people of Kashmir. Why be in 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 posted on X. (ANI)
