Kashmir Martyrs’ Day 2025 Exposes Political Faultlines

Martyrs’ Day Row Highlights Kashmir’s Political Faultlines

Why in the News?

Kashmir Martyrs’ Day on July 13, once officially commemorated in Jammu Kashmir, has become politically contentious. With leaders detained and permission denied to visit martyrs’ graves, tensions have resurfaced around the event post abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The controversy surrounding Kashmir Day underscores the ongoing political complexities in the region.

Martyrs' Day Row Highlights Kashmir's Deep Divides

Political Controversy and Government Actions

  • Post-2019: After the revocation of J&K’s special status, official observance of July 13 ceased in Kashmir; the day was removed from the list of state holidays.
  • 2022 Decision: The Jammu Kashmir administration instead declared September 23, Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary, a public holiday.
  • Current Tensions: Political parties including National Conference and PDP planned to commemorate Martyrs’ Day in 2024, but were denied permission. This decision has reignited debates about historical narratives in Kashmir.
  • Detentions: Many leaders, including Omar Abdullah, were put under house arrest, drawing criticism of undemocratic suppression. The arrests included those who planned to participate in the commemoration. The partial lockdown Srinagar further intensified the situation.

Diverging Political Narratives

  • BJP Stand: BJP ministers have boycotted Kashmir Martyrs’ Day events, aligning with their demand for honoring Hari Singh instead. This stance reflects the changing political landscape in Jammu Kashmir.
  • PDP’s Criticism: Mehbooba Mufti accused both BJP and NC of shifting blame and distancing from Kashmir’s resistance legacy. Her comments highlight the complex political dynamics in the region.
  • Opposition’s Stand: Opposition sees denial of commemorations as part of a broader attempt to rewrite history and delegitimize local sentiments in Kashmir.
  • Public Memory: Despite state reluctance, the day remains deeply symbolic for many Kashmiris, marking a struggle against autocracy that began during the era of the princely state.

Historical Background of Martyrs’ Day:
● Origin: On 13 July 1931, 22 Kashmiri Muslims were killed by Dogra forces outside Srinagar Central Jail during a protest against autocratic rule. This event is considered the beginning of the 1931 Kashmir agitation.
● Trigger: Protest erupted during the trial of Abdul Qadeer Khan, who had spoken against Maharaja Hari Singh’s regime. This trial was conducted under the Ranbir Penal Code.
● Legacy: The slain were buried at Ziyarat Naqshband Sahab in Srinagar, now called Martyrs’ Graveyard. The site, associated with the Sufi saint Khwaja Bahawuddin Naqshbandi, became a symbol of Kashmiri resistance.
● Recognition: Sheikh Abdullah declared July 13 as Kashmir Day, observed officially in the state till 2019. It was a gazetted state holiday in Jammu Kashmir for decades.

The controversy surrounding Martyrs’ Day in Kashmir reflects the ongoing tensions along the Line of Control and the broader political landscape. Organizations like the Hurriyat Conference and Kashmiri Pandit outfits like Panun Kashmir have divergent views on the significance of the day.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief Muslim cleric and a key figure in the Hurriyat, has been under house arrest, further complicating the situation. The modern sense started with the events of 1931, as noted by historian Prem Nath Bazaz, marking a turning point in Kashmir’s political consciousness.

The Dalal Inquiry Commission and Srinagar Riot Enquiry following the 1931 events provide historical context to the current debates. The Reading Room Party, an early political organization in Kashmir, played a role in shaping the narrative around these events. Historical accounts mention that two Muslim lawyers were instrumental in defending those arrested during the protests.

As Kashmir grapples with its complex history, the debate over Kashmir Martyrs’ Day continues to shape political discourse, with each side attempting to build their narrative brick by brick. The ongoing restrictions and political tensions underscore the challenges in reconciling different historical perspectives in the region. Some accounts suggest that an unruly mob proved to be a turning point in the 1931 events, leading to heightened tensions between the protesters and the authorities.