Political Tensions Over Kashmir’s Martyrs’ Day in Legislative Assembly
Walkout by BJP
- Event: A political confrontation occurred in the legislative assembly when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members staged a walkout after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather expunged controversial remarks made by Sunil Sharma, BJP’s Leader of the Opposition.
- Remarks: Sharma called the 22 Kashmiris killed on July 13, 1931, by Dogra forces “traitors,” which led to the expulsion of his comments by the Speaker.
Historical Context of July 13, 1931
- Incident: On July 13, 1931, 22 Kashmiris were killed by Dogra forces at Srinagar’s central jail during a trial of Abdul Qadeer, who had called for an uprising against Dogra rule. The victims were protesting for their rights and dignity, and the event is commemorated annually as Martyrs’ Day.
- Martyrs’ Graveyard: The victims are buried in Mazar-i-Shuhada (martyrs’ graveyard) in Srinagar.
Political Responses
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Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s Condemnation: Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned Sharma’s remarks, emphasizing that the slain Kashmiris were “martyred for standing up for the rights and dignity of the oppressed people.”
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PDP Leader Waheed Parra’s Appeal: Waheed Parra, leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), advocated for the restoration of July 13 as a public holiday to honor the martyrs. He also pushed for December 5, the birthday of Sheikh Abdullah, to be reinstated as a public holiday. Both dates were removed after the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019.
BJP’s Response
- Objection to Public Holiday Restoration: BJP leader Sunil Sharma objected to the resolution to restore the holiday, reiterating his stance that the 22 slain Kashmiris were “traitors” and not martyrs.
- BJP Walkout: Following this objection and the expulsion of Sharma’s remarks, the entire BJP contingent of 28 members walked out of the assembly in protest.
Parra’s Remarks
- Historical Significance of July 13: Parra emphasized that July 13 was a significant day for democracy, noting that the 22 martyrs had died for the rights of all Kashmiris, including Hindus of Jammu.
- Warning of Consequences: He warned that stifling debate and not allowing such discussions would increase violence and separatism in the region, benefiting Pakistan and undermining peace efforts.
Resolution Submission
- PDP’s Resolution: Waheed Parra had already submitted a resolution to the assembly secretariat, seeking the restoration of July 13 as a public holiday. However, the proposal faced resistance from BJP members, leading to the political standoff in the legislative session.
This political clash underscores the deep divisions in Kashmir’s political landscape, especially around historical events like the killings of July 13, 1931, which continue to evoke strong emotional and political responses across various factions.
