Srinagar: Days after BJP Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma called the 1931 martyrs ‘anti-nationals’ and said traitors cannot be celebrated as martyrs, another BJP member from Kupwara, Javid Qurashi, said that ‘traitors should not be called martyrs’.
Kashmir Martyrs’ Day was an official state holiday observed in remembrance of the 21 Muslim protesters killed on July 13, 1931, by the Dogra forces of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. The incident occurred when thousands gathered outside Srinagar Central Jail to witness the trial of Abdul Qadeer. As the time for the obligatory Zuhr prayer approached, a man stood up to call the Azaan. The Dogra governor, Raizada Tartilok Chand, ordered his troops to open fire, killing 22 Kashmiris.
Qurashi claimed that July 13 marked the beginning of militancy and lawlessness in Kashmir. “On this day, violence was born, there was looting everywhere, and people were thrown out of their homes. Why don’t political parties see this? The National Conference (NC) declared a holiday for this day only to push Kashmir further into bloodshed. They exploit religious sentiments while BJP leaders stand with the people,” Qurashi said in an interview to journalists.
“Those who died that day were no martyrs. In reality, they defamed India and protested against the government,” he claimed.
Before the abrogation of Article 370, political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir would visit the Mazar-e-Shuhada (martyrs’ graveyard) to pay homage, and the day was officially recognised. However, after 2019, the administration denied them permission to observe the day.
Last week on March 5, speaking in the Legislative Assembly, BJP’s Sunil Sharma doubled down on his party’s stance, stating that Martyrs’ Day cannot be observed in the name of “traitors and anti-nationals.” He said that instead of honouring those who rebelled against Maharaja Hari Singh, July 13 should be dedicated to figures like Maqbool Sherwani, Major Somnath Sharma, and Brigadier Rajinder Singh, who “protected Jammu and Kashmir from the enemy.”
“We are saying this inside and outside the Assembly, and we will continue to do so. Those who betrayed the nation cannot be given the status of martyrs,” Sharma had said.
Sharma’s remarks triggered a sharp response from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). On March 6, PDP leaders, led by Iltija Mufti, took out a protest march from the party headquarters in Srinagar toward Lal Chowk, demanding an apology from Sharma.
Carrying placards that read “Martyrs of July 13, 1931, are our heroes” and “July 13, 1931, sacrifices will never die,” the protesters raised slogans against BJP and its members. However, they were stopped by the police near Polo View.
