Srinagar, Jul 12: Cutting across party and ideological lines, various political formations in Kashmir today remembered the martyrs of July 13, 1931 and eulogized their sacrifice.
Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti while paying tributes to the martyrs of July 13, 1931 termed their sacrifices as the golden chapter in the history of Jammu & Kashmir.
In her message, Mufti said “the brave-hearts of 1931 sacrificed their lives for laying the foundation of a system based on equality, justice and liberty in the state.
“Their sacrifices ought to be safeguarded, respected and protected by every citizen and no sacrifice is big enough to guard their contribution,” she said.
According to a PDP press release, Mehbooba Mufti said the best way to pay homage to these heroes is to develop Jammu & Kashmir as an egalitarian and tolerant society, free from the distinctions of religion, region, caste or creed.
“The heroes of 1931 had dreamed of a democratic, prosperous and tolerant Jammu & Kashmir for which they even laid their lives. It’s now our responsibility and challenge to make the state truly a model by strengthening these ideals and guarding them firmly,” she said.
National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah and vice-president Omar Abdullah said 13th July 1931 was a watershed moment in the history of Kashmir and marked the beginning of a struggle against tyranny, oppression and despotism.
In his message on the occasion, NC president and Member of Parliament for Srinagar, Dr Farooq Abdullah said “the sacrifices of the valiant martyrs are timeless and continue to inspire millions of people to fight for justice, truth and peace.
“The undying thirst for dignity cannot be suppressed by injustice and the 13th July martyrs proved that non-violence and persistence always prevails over oppression and tyranny in the end. I pay my humble tributes to the martyrs and make a fervent appeal to the people in general and our youth in particular to be well-informed about the history of our struggle against oppression and tyranny,” Dr Abdullah said.
According to a press release issued by NC, Omar Abdullah said the sacrifices of the martyrs of 13th July will continue to be a beacon of humanity’s fight for dignity and justice.
“I pay my humble tributes to our great martyrs who laid down their lives to pave way for a struggle against despotism and tyranny. It was their sacrifice that proved a turning point in our history and inspired millions of oppressed Kashmiris to rise in unison against an oppressive dictatorship. 13th July will always be a day where the people of Kashmir will reiterate their commitment to overcoming evil with kindness, non-violence and peace,” Omar Abdullah said.
According to the press release, other NC leaders including Ali Muhammad Sagar, Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Nasir Aslam Wani, Abdul Rahim Rather, Muhammad Shafi Uri, Chaudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Muhammad Akbar Lone, Mian Altaf Ahmed, Mubarak Gul, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Shameema Firdous, Dr. Bashir Veeri, Ali Muhammad Dar and others also paid glowing tributes to the July 13, 1931 martyrs.
Senior separatist leader and Hurriyat-G chairman Syed Alai Shah Geelani said “the present freedom struggle of Kashmir is the part of the movement started by the martyrs of 1931.”
Paying his tributes to 13th July martyrs, Geelani said that they with their blood created history and “their martyrdom is a milestone of the freedom movement”.
Geelani said “they laid down their precious lives for the sacred cause, and the mission remains unfinished.”
He said the “ongoing freedom struggle is in sequence and a chain of the very mission commenced in 1931.”
JKLF chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik, who continues to remain in police custody, termed the 1931 martyrs as symbol of ‘freedom and bravery’ and added that people of Jammu and Kashmir remembered the martyrs who demonstrated unparallel courage and stood firm against tyranny and oppression, endured bullets on their chests and refused to bow before tyranny, illegal occupation and dictatorship.
“The current people’s revolution that started in 1988 is actually a continuation of the struggle started in 1931. The struggle is a continuation of 1931 and so is the tyranny, oppression and subjugation — same as of that era,” JKLF chief said in a statement here.
Malik also castigated mainstream politicians for paying tributes to these martyrs stating that it was “‘ironical that rulers and other pro-India forces despite being agents of oppression celebrate martyr’s day and shower flowers on the graves of martyrs. They do this to deceive people.”
“The so-called rulers who are suppressing voices of masses by unabated innocent killings, putting thousands behind bars, blinding and maiming thousands and unleashing reign of terror should feel some shame before commemorating Martyrs days and showering flowers on their graves,” Malik added.
Geelani and Malik also condemned the killing of a youth in Trehgam area of north Kashmir, saying the incident was yet another “black chapter of oppression” in the annals of human history.
J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president G.A. Mir while paying tributes to martyrs of 1931, said that they laid down their lives to pave way for a struggle against tyrannical rule and injustices meted out to people.
Mir said the sacrifices of martyrs inspired oppressed Kashmiris to rise against the dictatorship and autocratic rule. “Their sacrifices will continue to inspire the generations ahead leading them at the path of unity and harmony,” he said.
