Kashmir political temperature rises as NC raises Martyrs’ Day heat

SRINAGAR: J&K CM Omar Abdullah’s National Conference (NC) notified Srinagar district authorities Thursday that it will observe July 13 as Martyrs’ Day, reigniting political contention over the region’s historical memory and post-Article 370 identity.

The date marks the killing of 22 civilians outside Srinagar jail in 1931 during protests against Maharaja Hari Singh, then Dogra monarch of J&K.

NC also appealed to lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha to reinstate July 13 and Dec 5 as public holidays. Both dates were struck off J&K’s official holiday calendar in Jan 2020, six months after the abrogation of Article 370. Until then, July 13 had been observed annually as Martyrs’ Day, while Dec 5 marked the birth anniversary of NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.

In a letter to the Srinagar DC, NC said party president Farooq Abdullah and senior functionaries will visit martyrs’ graveyard in the city’s old quarters Sunday morning to lay floral tributes. NC requested security arrangements for the 8am visit.

Opposition PDP president Mehbooba Mufti criticised NC’s move, saying the initiative lacked credibility. “Omar Abdullah-led govt’s proposal to the LG would have carried weight had the Speaker supported PDP’s resolution on the matter in the assembly,” she said, referring to the Speaker’s rejection of PDP’s proposal in March.

“By dropping PDP’s July 13 Martyrs’ Day resolution, J&K assembly has exposed NC’s double-speak on Kashmir’s history. Their silence proves complicity, not commitment,” Mehbooba said.

Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari also weighed in, urging Union govt to officially declare July 13 as Martyrs’ Day. He said his party would visit the graveyard at Naqshband Sahib to pay respect and had already sought permission from authorities.

Bukhari used the moment to press for a revision of domicile laws. Addressing CM Abdullah directly, he demanded that the eligibility for J&K domicile be raised from 15 to 50 years of residency.

“This is entirely within your authority and discretion. I urge you with folded hands, please, at the very least, do this much for the people of J&K,” he said.