After August 5, 2019, with the scrapping of Article 370, J&K lost its statehood as well as its historic days.
Six years after the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir continues to fight for its statehood. Along with this, politicians across the union territory have raised their concerns regarding the omission of historic days which represent Kashmir's political awakening and democratic struggle.
One such day is Martyrs' Day. Observed on July 13 for the past 70 years, Kashmir Martyrs Day marks the sacrifice of 22 Kashmiri Muslims against the Dogra kingdom as well as the first political awakening of Kashmir.
With the assembly elections in 2024, the union territory saw the return of a government. Led by Omar Abdullah, one of the key objectives of the National Conference government is to restore J&K's statehood.
However, with the struggle still underway, Peoples Democratic Party MLA Waheed Para has approached the speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, seeking the immediate restoration of Martyrs Day.
In conversation with 바카라 India, Para stated that the matter of July 13 is not about "a holiday, but a mark of respect and sacrifice of the people who began Kashmir's political awakening."
In his letter to Abdul Rahim Rather, the PDP MLA also called for allowing three private members’ resolutions for the restoration of statehood during the concluding phase of the budget session, which began on Monday.
In 1931, Kashmiri Muslims were protesting outside the Srinagar Central Jail, where Abdul Qaeder was being held and was due for execution. Qaeder was an employee of English army officer Major Butt of the Yorkshire Regiment in Peshawar.
Qaeder, who was protesting against the monarchy, had called on fellow Kashmiris to rise against the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh and the Monarchy. As the agitation grew, the Dogra army opened fire, killing 22 people. The 1931 agitation further paved the way for leaders such as Sheikh Abdullah.
The crowds buried the bodies of the deceased in the graveyard attached to the Shrine of Khwaja Bahawuddin Naqshbandi in Srinagar, which would later be known as Mazar-e-Shuhada or the Martyrs' Graveyard.
For the past 70 years, July 13 has been observed as a historic day in Kashmir, as people paid tribute to the sacrifice of 22 Kashmiri Muslims who fell to the bullets of the Dogra army.
After August 5, 2019, with the scrapping of Article 370, J&K lost its statehood as well as its historic days.
As per PDP MLA Waheed Para, the restoration of Martyrs' Day in Kashmir is essential for the state's history.
"It was an official holiday in memory of the sacrifice of those who were martyred on July 13. These people are honoured as it marked the political awakening of Jammu and Kashmir," he told 바카라, adding that the 22 people who fell to the bullets of the Dogra king라이브 바카라 soldiers in 1931, were the first to spark the fight for freedom, liberty and democracy in Kashmir.
After August 5, 2019, Martyrs Day and other such holidays, which reflected Kashmir's struggle for freedom and democracy, were removed.
As per the Pulwama MLA, this move was seen as a "deletion of the memory, sacrifices which provide the little space Jammu and Kashmir has for democratic and constitutional rights."
"Had the July 13 agitation not happened, Jammu and Kashmir would have continued to be a princely state," Para added.
With the state assembly restored after assembly elections, PDP's Para, and many other political parties in Kashmir have raised the issue of the restoration of Martyrs Day.
However, as per the BJP, Martyrs Day celebrated the "traitors" who rose against the Dogra kingdom.
BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, vocalised BJP's stance on July 13 and stated that it was a day of traitors.
“I want to clarify that July 13, which is called ‘martyrs’ day’ by them (Kashmir-based leaders), we consider it a ‘traitors’ day’. This will never be restored in the land of Jammu and Kashmir again,” said Sunil, adding that a day when protestors rebelled against Maharaja Hari Singh should not be observed in the region.
Sharma's remarks were denounced by the National Conference, PDP and the Hurriyat Conference as well, deeming them as "derogatory."
After 370, Martyrs Day was not the only holiday which was omitted. December 5, which is Sheikh Abdullah's birth anniversary, was removed.
After the reorganisation act, the new administration introduced Accession Day on October 26.
This day marks the day when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession in 1947. It was observed for the first time in 2020.
The Centre-appointed Lt Governor Administration also declared a holiday on September 23 to mark Maharaja Hari Singh라이브 바카라 birth anniversary.
Para adds that the government's decision to remove these holidays was "a way of undoing history in Jammu and Kashmir.
"It's not a holiday, it's a historic day for us. This is a mark of respect and memory to the sacrifices of people," he said.
With Para's resolution currently dropped due to the uproar over the Waqf Act, the PDP stated it will continue to push for its restoration.
As per the ruling National Conference, the restoration of Martyrs Day remains essential for Kashmir.
Speaking to 바카라, NC spokesperson and Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq, the Omar Abdullah led government has decided that all holidays pre-2019 will be restored.
However, the only way this can be done is for Kashmir's statehood to be restored first.
"We have decided that pre-2019 holidays will be restored, as stated in our manifesto. But first, Kashmir's statehood needs to be restored. A dual power system will not work for the future," said Sadiq.