CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
Martyrs’ Day, observed on July 13, continues to stir political tensions in Jammu and Kashmir in 2025. Previously recognized as a state holiday to honour those killed during anti-Dogra protests in 1931, the day has not been officially observed since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. With a newly elected government now in place, opposition parties made plans to pay homage at the Martyrs’ Cemetery, a move strongly resisted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In response, several political leaders were reportedly placed under house arrest by the police, reflecting ongoing divisions in the region’s political and historical narratives.
Historical Origins Of Martyrs’ Day
The day memorializes the 22 Kashmiri Muslims who lost their lives on July 13, 1931, when police under the Dogra monarchy opened fire outside Srinagar Central Jail. The crowd had gathered to protest the arrest and trial of Abdul Qadeer Khan, who was accused of sedition. These killings are widely seen as a defining moment that sparked political consciousness in Kashmir. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah later institutionalized July 13 as Martyrs’ Day to honour their sacrifice and promote a sense of political awakening among Kashmiris.
The 1931 Protest And Its Aftermath
The unrest of 1931 was rooted in growing dissatisfaction with the Dogra regime’s autocratic rule. Thousands gathered peacefully outside the jail where Khan’s trial was underway. Accounts vary on whether the protest escalated or remained non-violent, but police fired into the crowd, killing 22 people and wounding many more. These victims were buried near the shrine of Khawja Bahaudin Naqashbandi, which later became the Martyrs’ Graveyard, a symbolic site of resistance.
Political Symbolism Before And After 2019
For decades, mainstream and separatist parties alike marked the day with tributes at the cemetery. However, the BJP has long opposed the observance, favouring instead recognition of Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler at the time of the 1931 killings. In 2015, under the PDP-BJP coalition government, participation in Martyrs’ Day events was divided and reflected deeper ideological rifts.
Following the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019, the government dropped July 13 from the official list of holidays and closed access to the Martyrs’ Cemetery. Instead, the birth anniversary of Hari Singh was declared a holiday, shifting the focus of official remembrance.
The 2025 Controversy And Security Clampdown
This year, as parties like the National Conference and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) planned visits to the Martyrs’ Cemetery, security agencies imposed restrictions, placing several leaders under preventive detention. While the government stayed away from formal commemorations, the actions taken to block political observances sparked widespread criticism. The opposition accused authorities of undermining democratic rights and suppressing historical memory.
Reactions From Political Leaders And Public
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the detentions, drawing parallels between the 1931 incident and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He emphasized that honouring the martyrs is part of the region’s identity and must not be politicized. The BJP, however, maintains its stance against state-backed recognition of the day. Public opinion remains sharply divided, with Martyrs’ Day continuing to represent not just a historical event, but a focal point for debates over justice, autonomy, and collective memory in Kashmir.
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