Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and the world over observed the Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, today, to reaffirm the pledge that they would continue their struggle until they achieve their inalienable right to self-determination.
The day was marked by complete shutdown in occupied Kashmir, while the authorities had imposed curfew-like restrictions across the Kashmir valley to prevent anti-India protests and rallies and a march towards Mazar-e-Shuhada, Naqshband Sahib in Srinagar. Barricades were placed near the historic clock tower in Lal Chowk, Srinagar, while the forces’ personnel were deployed in strength to prevent the march. Call for the strike was given by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.
The day is observed every year on 13th of July 1931 in memory of 22 Kashmiris who were killed by the troops of Dogra Maharaja in Srinagar. They were part of thousands of people who had assembled outside Central Jail, Srinagar, during the court proceedings against one Abdul Qadeer who had asked Kashmiri people to defy the Dogra rule. At the time of Namaz-e-Zuhr, a young man started the call for prayers (Azaan) and was shot dead by the Maharaja’s soldiers. Another took his place and he too was martyred by the troops. Thus, 22 youth sacrificed their lives till the completion of Azaan.
The BJP regime put Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and other political leaders under house arrest and did not allow them to pay tributes at the Mazar-e-Shuhada, Naqshband Sahib in Srinagar.
It was the sixth time since the Partition of the Sub Continent that no holiday and official functions were held to commemorate the Kashmir Martyrs’ Day on July 13, today. Following the revocation of Article 370 and 35 A on August 5, 2019, India had issued a list of gazette holidays for the occupied territory, omitting July 13 from the list.
