Martyrs Day: Political Parties Denied Access to Historic Graveyard in Kashmir Capital Srinagar
Srinagar, July 13, KNT: Authorities on Sunday imposed sweeping restrictions across parts of Srinagar to prevent political leaders and citizens from gathering at the revered Martyrs’ Graveyard at Khawaja Bazaar, where 22 Kashmiri civilians killed on July 13, 1931, by the forces of Maharaja Hari Singh are buried. The day, historically observed as ‘Martyrs’ Day’, was marked not by solemn ceremonies but by sealed roads, barricades, and the confinement of top political leaders.
Security forces, including Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), blocked access routes to the Mazaar-e-Shuhada and erected multiple layers of checkpoints throughout the downtown area, turning the city centre into a zone of lockdown. The administration justified the clampdown citing “law and order concerns”, denying political parties the permission to visit the graveyard and pay their respects.
Among those confined to their homes was National Conference (NC) spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, who expressed dismay over the lockdown. “Since last night, I and many of my colleagues, including senior leaders at Gupkar, have been locked inside our homes. These measures are unjustified, deeply insensitive, and show a disturbing disregard for our collective history,” he said.
Since last night, I like many of my colleagues, including the party leadership at Gupkar, the Advisor to the Chief Minister, and a majority of sitting MLAs have been locked inside my home.
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This is not just unfortunate; it is a deliberate attempt to suppress remembrance and deny… pic.twitter.com/R6fycmrCMr
— Tanvir Sadiq (@tanvirsadiq) July 13, 2025
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also released images of her residence gate chained shut. In a poignant message, she said, “When you lay siege to the Martyrs’ Graveyard and imprison people in their homes to stop them from remembering our martyrs, it reflects the fear of those in power. Only when our heroes are acknowledged and respected can the hearts of Kashmiris truly connect with the rest of the country.”
The day you accept our heroes as your own just as Kashmiris have embraced yours, from Mahatma Gandhi to Bhagat Singh that day, as Prime Minister Modi once said, the “dil ki doori” (distance of hearts) will truly end.
When you lay siege to the Martyrs’ Graveyard, lock people in… pic.twitter.com/PjZpH7W8We
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 13, 2025
National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, too, condemned the move, calling it “blatantly undemocratic.” In a sharp statement, he remarked, “Bridges are sealed, homes locked from the outside, and forces deployed as jailers — just to prevent a peaceful visit to a graveyard. What is this administration so afraid of? Denying the people of Kashmir their right to honour those who stood up against oppression is a denial of our very identity.”
13th July massacre is our Jallianwala Bagh. The people who laid down their lives did so against the British. Kashmir was being ruled under the British Paramountcy. What a shame that true heroes who fought against British rule in all its forms are today projected as villains only…
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 13, 2025
In a blatantly undemocratic move homes have been locked from the outside, police & central forces deployed as jailers & major bridges in Srinagar blocked. All to stop people from visiting a historically important grave yard containing the graves of people who laid down their… https://t.co/yTC2V53VAy
Follow us on X for quick updates𝕏 Follow @kntnewsagency— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 13, 2025
The chairman of Jammu Kashmir Peoples Conference, Sajad Lone, also reported being detained at home. He questioned the Centre’s motives, stating, “Why is the Union Government so obsessed with redefining what is sacred to Kashmiris? The sacrifices of July 13 are sacred, and trying to erase that history only elevates its importance. Histories written in blood do not fade away.”
Not allowed to move out of home. Detained.
I don’t know why the union government is so keen to redefine what is sacred for the people of Kashmir. The sacrifices rendered on July 13 are sacred for all of us.
Denigrating these sacrifices and stopping everyone from going to the…— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) July 13, 2025
The memory of the July 13 martyrs is a cherished and a sacred memory. Not allowing a day of remembrance will not erase their memory or in any way dilute the sacrifices they rendered.
We support any proposal to officially re-declare July 13 as a holiday. It is the least that we…
— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) July 12, 2025
From the Apni Party, President Altaf Bukhari issued a strong condemnation after being stopped from conducting a planned prayer meeting at the Martyrs’ Graveyard. “We had no intention to disturb public order. Ours was a peaceful homage. Yet the administration sealed our office, locked senior leaders inside their homes, and blocked our entry — all in the name of maintaining peace. What could be more authoritarian than stopping people from offering prayers?” Bukhari asked.
Despite the severe restrictions, the memory of the 1931 martyrs resonated across the Valley, with leaders reaffirming their commitment to upholding the legacy of those who laid down their lives for justice. Calls also resurfaced for officially reinstating July 13 as a public holiday, which was removed from the official calendar after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Now that the authorities stopped us from visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada in Naqshband Sahib, Srinagar, and locked our office to stop us from holding a prayer meeting there in memory of the martyrs of 1931, I urge my colleagues and party workers to hold prayer events in memory of the… pic.twitter.com/U9DHGyNOGm
— Altaf Bukhari (@SMAltafBukhari) July 13, 2025
