Kashmir Martyr’s Day: Restrictions in Old Srinagar, Minister Denied Entry to Graveyard
On Monday, as the Kashmir Valley observed Martyr’s Day, restrictions remained in place in the downtown area of Old Srinagar. Since 2019, political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir have not been permitted to visit the Martyrs’ Graveyard in the Old City, which commemorates those who died on July 13, 1931.
Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo attempted to visit the graveyard at 4.30 am but was stopped by security personnel outside the area, according to officials.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticised the Lieutenant Governor-led administration, which oversees law and order in the Union Territory, calling the situation “extremely unfortunate”. He urged those in charge to study the history of Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the struggle of the 1931 martyrs is being viewed through a religious lens, ignoring their sacrifices because they were Muslims, unlike the Maharaja at the time.
Martyr’s Day marks the deaths of 22 people in 1931 who were protesting against the policies of the then Maharaja Hari Singh. The day is observed annually with tributes at the Martyrs’ Graveyard, but access has been restricted for political leaders since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and the reorganisation of the state into a Union Territory.
