Accusing Mehbooba of house arrest on Martyr’s Day, Omar is furious with Kendra
Jammu and Kashmir used to observe Martyr’s Day on 13th July every year but this year it has not happened. Several leaders, including PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, have claimed that the authorities have put them under house arrest so that they cannot celebrate Martyrs’ Day. However, there has been no official statement on this claim made by Mehbooba and other leaders. In fact, on this day in 1931, 22 Kashmiris were killed by the Dogra ruler’s army, leaders of Jammu and Kashmir visit the martyrs’ graveyard on this day every year to pay tribute to these slain.
Mehbooba Mufti surrounded the central government
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has alleged that he is under house arrest at his house in Khimbar, outside the city. He posted on PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has said that “the sacrifice of our martyrs is a proof that the spirit of Kashmiris cannot be crushed, even celebrating it in memory of the martyred protesters on this day has become a crime.” Referring to the abrogation of Article 370 and stripping of statehood from Jammu and Kashmir, he wrote that on August 5, 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was left fragmented, powerless and deprived of everything that was sacred to us. Mehbooba claimed that the central government was trying to erase every collective memory of Kashmiris. He said that such attacks will strengthen our resolve to continue fighting for our rights and dignity.
Many leaders claimed to be under house arrest
The separatist-turned-mainstream People’s Conference president Sajjad Lon also claimed that he was under house arrest. He has said that he was informed about his detention without any reason. Posted by Sajjad Law He said that people have the right to choose their heroes and those who martyred in 1931 are heroes of Kashmiris. Lone wrote on X Why does a non-resident government need to intervene in this? He wrote that it is a sign of autocracy to believe that the government will decide what historical valor is and who is a historical hero.
The leaders of the National Conference made serious allegations
National Conference (NC) provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani also alleged that the police had locked the doors of his house. He said, “The gates have been locked and police personnel have been deployed to prevent us from paying homage to the martyrs’ graves. I don’t understand why this was done. We will always remember his sacrifice.” Party youth wing president Salman Sagar said the administration was also banning his political events. Sagar posted pictures and videos of his house locked and claimed he was under house arrest. Earlier in the day, Police prevented ‘Apni Party’ leaders from visiting the Mazar-e-Shuhada (martyrs’ graveyard). Led by ‘Apni Party’ president Altaf Bukhari, party members attempted to march to the graveyard in Naqshband, about 5 km from the party’s Sheikh Bagh office. But the police stopped them.Later the leaders recited Fateha on the road and paid tribute to 22 Kashmiris.
Omar’s claim- will celebrate Martyrs’ Day next year
National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah said that Jammu and Kashmir will celebrate Martyrs’ Day on July 13 from next year. Referring to the upcoming assembly elections, he said that this is the last year when the Jammu and Kashmir administration is able to prevent people from doing so. Omar Abdullah wrote in one of his posts that he “sacrificed his life to establish a just, fair and democratic regime.” National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has said that these people are respected everywhere in the country, but the administration in Jammu and Kashmir wants to ignore these sacrifices. This is the last year he will be able to do this. Inshallah, next year we will celebrate Martyrs’ Day on July 13 with the same solemnity and respect that this day deserves.
Elections are awaited in Jammu and Kashmir
The Supreme Court has asked the central government to complete the process of holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30 this year. NC MP Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi said that stopping people from paying tribute is an insult to democracy. Mehdi said the police and administration have been asked to block the roads leading to the graveyard and to close the gates of people who want to pay homage to those heroes. Let us tell you that before the abrogation of Article 370, July 13 was a public holiday in Jammu and Kashmir and every year a grand official function was organized on this day, in which the Chief Minister or the Governor was the chief guest. However, the administration has removed this day from the list of gazetted holidays in 2020 after the abrogation of Article 370. Apart from the official ceremony, leaders of almost all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir also visited Mazar-e-Shuhada to pay tribute to the 22 Kashmiris who were gunned down by the Dogra army while protesting the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh. However, the administration did not organize any program this year and officials said some restrictions have been imposed on gathering of people to prevent any kind of crowding and maintain law and order in the Naxbandh area of Nohatta here.
