By News Desk
ISLAMABAD: Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control, in Pakistan and the world over, observed Martyrs’ Day on Tuesday to pay homage to the martyrs of July 13, 1931 and all other Kashmiri martyrs.
The day is observed in memory of the 22 Kashmiri martyrs who were shot dead by Dogra troops in Srinagar on this day in 1931. The troops of the Dogra ruler had killed the Kashmiris, one after another, outside Srinagar’s Central Jail during court proceedings against one Abdul Qadeer, who had asked the Kashmiri people to defy the despotic Dogra rule. It was time for Zuhr prayers when a young man started Adhaan but was shot dead by the ruler. Twenty two people sacrificed their lives till the completion of Adhaan.
According to the Kashmir Media Service (KMS), a complete shutdown took place in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which coincided with strict restrictions imposed by Indian authorities. The measures were taken to prevent a march towards the Martyrs’ Graveyard at Naqashband Sahib in Srinagar, where the martyrs are buried.
Posters with pro-freedom and pro-martyrs slogans were put up in Srinagar and other parts of the disputed territory. The call to observe the day was given by All Parties Hurriyat Conference and the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat forum.
The KMS reported that Indian police and agencies were preparing lists of traders who were observing the shutdown. The forces were also asking for names of people walking in the Lal Chowk and adjoining areas. Hurriyat delegations, including one led by Javed Mir, visited the Martyrs’ Graveyard and offered Fateha for the departed souls. Rallies and seminars were also held in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan and all major capitals and major cities of the world including London and New York to pay tributes to the martyrs.
In New York, Kashmiris and Pakistanis, who were joined by Sikhs, staged a demonstration in New York’s Times Square on Monday, in which they raised vociferous anti-India slogans and waved placards. The protesters’ placards read, “UN: Implement Resolutions on Kashmir”, “Indian Forces: Out of Kashmir”, “No Justice, No Peace” and “Kashmiri lives matter too.”
The demonstration was organised by the Washington-based World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKAF). Back in Pakistan, President Arif Alvi termed the resistance of Kashmiris “just and selfless” against India’s illegal occupation and said the day was not far when they would achieve their goal of freedom. “That day is not far Insha’Allah. We shall see,” the President tweeted on Tuesday.
He reiterated Pakistan’s support for the just cause of Kashmiris in IIOJK. “Pakistan will continue to provide diplomatic, political and legal support to the Kashmiris in IIOJK till they achieve their goal of freedom,” he said.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said: “We stand with Kashmiris on the Kashmir Martyrs’ Day and pay tribute to 22 Shuhada of 13 July 1931, martyred when the Dogra Maharaja’s soldiers fired on peaceful protestors. Khan said the struggle of Kashmiris against tyranny and illegal Indian occupation was “steeped in a history of resistance and sacrifice”. “This indomitable spirit of resistance remains alive as Kashmiri men and women continue to fight illegal Indian occupation,” he said.
