Regional political leaders including CM Omar Abdullah slam Central government for putting curbs on their movement to Martyrs’ Graveyard in downtown Srinagar

STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
SRINAGAR, JULY 13(STC):
Political leaders in Kashmir from cross section of parties slammed the Central government for preventing them to pay tributes to the martyrs of July 13, 1931 at Martyrs’ Graveyard in downtown Srinagar. They have criticised the government for not allowing them to move out of their homes, accusing it of rewriting history and dishonoring past sacrifices.
In his reaction, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “13th July massacre is our Jallianwala Bagh. The people who laid down their lives did so against the British. Kashmir was being ruled under the British Paramountcy. What a shame that true heroes who fought against British rule in all its forms are today projected as villains only because they were Muslims. We may be denied the opportunity to visit their graves today but we will not forget their sacrifices.”
He further said, “In a blatantly undemocratic move homes have been locked from the outside, police & central forces deployed as jailers & major bridges in Srinagar blocked. All to stop people from visiting a historically important grave yard containing the graves of people who laid down their lives to give Kashmiris a voice & to empower them.“
MLA and NC spokesperson Tavir Sadiq said, “Since last night, I like many of my colleagues, including the party leadership at Gupkar, the Advisor to the Chief Minister, and a majority of sitting MLAs have been locked inside my home. This is not just unfortunate; it is a deliberate attempt to suppress remembrance and deny us the right to honour the martyrs of July 13. Such actions are not only unnecessary they are unjustified, deeply insensitive, and reveal a troubling disregard for history.”
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference Chief and Handwara lawmaker Sajad Lone said that he was not allowed to move out of home and detained.
“I don’t know why the union government is so keen to redefine what is sacred for the people of Kashmir. The sacrifices rendered on July 13 are sacred for all of us. Denigrating these sacrifices and stopping everyone from going to the martyrs graveyard, if anything elevates these sacrifices to a new high.
Histories that are etched in blood don’t vanish,” he said.
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti said, “The day you accept our heroes as your own just as Kashmiris have embraced yours, from Mahatma Gandhi to Bhagat Singh that day, as Prime Minister Modi once said, the “dil ki doori” (distance of hearts) will truly end.
When you lay siege to the Martyrs’ Graveyard, lock people in their homes to prevent them from visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada, it speaks volumes. July 13th commemorates our martyrs those who rose against tyranny, much like countless others across the country. They will always be our heroes,”
(STC).