Srinagar: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir imposed restrictions on Sunday, sealing the Naqshband Sahib shrine in Srinagar’s Khawaja Bazar area ahead of Martyrs’ Day. The shrine houses the graves of 22 Kashmiris killed in 1931 during protests against autocratic Dogra rule.
Authorities placed barricades on roads leading to the graveyard and denied permission to political leaders and the public to visit the site. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the day has not been officially observed.
NC’s chief spokesperson and Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq called the restrictions “unjust” and said no order can suppress public memory. “People will continue to honour their martyrs peacefully and with dignity,” he said.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti managed to reach the site earlier in the day before it was sealed. Sharing a video of her visit, she wrote on X, “Knowing that tomorrow we’d be prevented from moving out, managed to pay tributes to our martyrs… Their memory is being wilfully erased, yet their voices echo in every Kashmiri’s heart.”
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari called the restrictions “authoritarian,” stating that such moves cannot erase respect for the martyrs.
People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone also said the memory of July 13 remains sacred and should be recognised officially.
Political parties including the National Conference, People’s Democratic Party, and Apni Party had formally sought permission from the administration to visit the site. However, authorities rejected all such requests, citing security reasons.
In an advisory on X, the Jammu and Kashmir Police informed that the district administration had not granted permission for any gathering at Khawaja Bazar on July 13. “The public is advised to strictly comply and refrain from violating the orders. Legal action will be taken against any violations,” the advisory said.
Last year, NC vice-president Omar Abdullah had said July 13 would be observed with full respect going forward. However, this year’s restrictions have again prevented any formal or public commemoration.
Until 2019, July 13 was an official holiday in Jammu and Kashmir. The day marked the beginning of political consciousness in the region and later led to the creation of representative institutions. The holiday was removed from the calendar following the abrogation of Article 370 and reorganisation of the state.
Earlier this year, PDP MLA Waheed Para moved a resolution in the Assembly to restore the holiday. However, the motion did not make it to the final list. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather clarified that while the resolution was admitted, it did not pass the balloting stage.
