Jammu: Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir clashed on Wednesday over the events of July 13, 1931, when over 20 protesters were killed by the Dogra army led by Hari Singh. The BJP’s remark has drawn flak from various leaders and organisations.
The BJP termed the day a “traitors’ day,” vowing it would never be officially observed again. BJP leader Sunil Sharma criticised Kashmir-based leaders for calling it “martyrs’ day” and defended Hari Singh’s legacy, crediting him with key institutions like J&K Bank and SMHS Hospital. He accused the NC and PDP of hypocrisy, pointing to their silence over civilian killings in 2010 and 2016 under Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.
However, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary and the Hurriyat Conference condemned Sharma’s remarks, asserting that those killed in 1931 fought for people’s rights and democracy. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather later expunged some of Sharma’s comments from the Assembly record.
Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian President Aga Syed Hassan Al Musavi on Wednesday strongly condemned language used by BJP over remarks against July 13 martyrs.
Al Musavi accused BJP of “systematically erasing such pivotal moments, distorting memory to serve its own agenda.”
Aga Syed Hassan said, “July 13 Martyrs stands as a testament to Kashmir’s enduring struggle for civil and political rights. But the BJP, in its bid to rewrite the political history of Kashmir, has been systematically erasing such pivotal moments, distorting memory to serve its own agenda.”
