SRINAGAR: Political leaders across Kashmir including the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister were placed under house arrest to prevent any commemorative events marking the 94th anniversary of the July 13, 1931, Martyrs Day, sparking sharp criticism from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and opposition parties.
Many prominent politicians, including sitting MLAs, ministers, and party leaders, found themselves confined to their homes to prevent them from attending the traditional Martyrs' Day observance at the Martyrs' Graveyard in Srinagar.
Tanvir Sadiq, a National Conference MLA representing the Zadibal assembly seat, wrote on social media platform X: "Since last night, I, like many of my colleagues, including the party leadership at Gupkar, the advisor to the chief minister, and a majority of sitting MLAs, have been locked inside my home."
The detentions extended across party lines, with former Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, and chief of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference, Sajad Lone, also reporting restrictions on their movements.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah strongly condemned the restrictions, calling them "blatantly undemocratic." In a post on X, he drew parallels between the 1931 killings and other historical massacres, stating: "13th July massacre is our Jallianwala Bagh.”
However, he added an interesting twist. He wrote, “The people who laid down their lives did so against the British. Kashmir was being ruled under the British Paramountcy," as he cautiously avoided describing the day as a commemoration against the Dogra rule.
Abdullah criticised the characterization of the 1931 martyrs, saying: "What a shame that true heroes who fought against British rule in all its forms are today projected as villains only because they were Muslims. We may be denied the opportunity to visit their graves today, but we will not forget their sacrifices."
In another tweet, he posted, “In a blatantly undemocratic move homes have been locked from the outside, police & central forces deployed as jailers & major bridges in Srinagar blocked. All to stop people from visiting a historically important graveyard containing the graves of people, who laid down their lives to give Kashmiris a voice & to empower them. I will never understand what the Law & Order government is so afraid of.”
Jammu and Kashmir deputy chief minister, Surinder Choudhary, who hails from Rajouri district of Jammu province, was also placed under house arrest. His office posted a photograph of the locked gates of his official residence in Srinagar and wrote on X: “Sad state of democracy in Jammu & Kashmir. Police have locked the main gate of my official residence at Gupkar Road, Kashmir. Elected representatives are under house arrest in a bid to muzzle public sentiment."
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti criticized the restrictions, stating: "When you lay siege to the Martyrs' Graveyard, lock people in their homes to prevent them from visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada, it speaks volumes. July 13 commemorates our martyrs—those who rose against tyranny, much like countless others across the country. They will always be our heroes."
She also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi's previous statements about bridging the "dil ki doori" (distance of hearts), suggesting that true reconciliation would come "the day you accept our heroes as your own just as Kashmiris have embraced yours, from Mahatma Gandhi to Bhagat Singh."
In a subsequent post on X, she wrote, ““To forget the 13 July martyrs is not just historical amnesia. It is a moral failure. Their graves may be locked behind barricades, but their message lives on in the hearts of every Kashmiri who refuses to bow down.”
PDP leader and legislator, Waheed Para, however, used the occasion to take a dig at chief minister, Omar Abdullah, on X, criticizing him for what he suggested was a deliberate decision to stay away from Martyrs Day commemoration.
He wrote on X, “For the first time, an elected Chief Minister has chosen to stay away from both Kashmir and the graveyard on a day that calls for remembrance and perseverance.”
Sajad Lone questioned the administration's clampdown, asking: "I don't know why the union government is so keen to redefine what is sacred for the people of Kashmir. The sacrifices rendered on July 13 are sacred for all of us."
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was placed under arbitrary house detention for several consecutive days and prevented from delivering his Friday sermon at Jama Masjid. He had planned to mention the martyrs of July 13, 1931, in his address and later visit the martyrs' graveyard after Zuhr prayers according to tradition.
Criticising the government decision to place him under house detention, he posted on X, “We may be put in jails or under house arrests and threatened with dire consequences, and the martyrs’ graveyards may be sealed and blocked, but they live in our hearts and in our memory and will continue to, generation after generation.”
In a previous tweet on July 11, he had posted, “Disallowed to go to Jama Masjid today, put under house arrest, fearing the mention of the martyrs of 13th July 1931 in my Friday sermon! The sacrifice of these martyrs and all the martyrs since, is etched in the collective memory of Kashmir and cannot not be undone by restrictions and bans. No living nation can forget the supreme sacrifice of life of its martyrs against tyranny and injustice.”
Srinagar Police’s ‘advisory’
The district administration of Srinagar denied permission to all political parties, including the ruling National Conference, to attend any July 13 commemoration. Police warned of strict action against anyone attempting to proceed toward the Martyrs' Graveyard.
Srinagar Police issued what it called a ‘public advisory’ on X, stating, “The District Administration Srinagar has denied permission to all applicants intending to proceed towards Khawaja Bazar, Nowhatta on 13th July 2025 (Sunday). The General Public is hereby advised to strictly comply with these instructions and refrain from violating the orders issued by District Administration. Any violation of these orders shall invite strict legal action under relevant provisions of law.”
Historical Significance of July 13
July 13 commemorates the sacrifice of 22 Kashmiri Muslims who were killed by Dogra regime in 1931 during protests outside Srinagar's central jail. The protesters had gathered to witness the trial of Abdul Qadeer Khan, who had called for resistance against the autocratic rule of Maharaja Hari Singh.
The killings triggered massive protests and ultimately forced the Maharaja to hold the first assembly elections in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, marking the beginning of the democratic process in the region after centuries of autocratic rule.
The controversy surrounding Martyrs' Day reflects broader changes in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. July 13 was officially observed as a public holiday and commemorated by the state government until 2019, when it was removed from the official calendar.
The Lieutenant Governor's administration has prohibited any functions at the Martyrs' Graveyard since 2020 and has consistently placed political leaders under house arrest to prevent them from visiting the site.
In a symbolic reversal, the administration declared September 23, Maharaja Hari Singh's birthday, as a public holiday in 2022.
Earlier, police personnel used to give a gun salute and floral tributes were offered at the Martyrs' Graveyard on July 13 every year.
The restrictions on Martyrs' Day commemoration represent a significant shift in how the Union Territory administration handles Kashmir's historical narrative. Previously, July 13 was one of the few occasions where separatists and mainstream political parties found common ground, with both recognizing the 1931 victims as martyrs.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between the local political leadership and the Centre-appointed administration over the preservation of Kashmir's historical memory and the right to commemorate significant events in the region's political evolution.
This marks the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 that an elected government has been in power during the July 13 anniversary.
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