People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti pays tributes to those who laid down their lives protesting against the rule of Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh in 1931, during the Martyrs’ Day, at party headquarters, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on July 13, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Authorities on Monday (July 13, 2026) barricaded the graveyard in Srinagar, where 22 civilians killed during the 1931 uprising against Dogra monarchy are buried, and allegedly imposed restriction on the leaders of the Jammu and Kashmir parties from visiting it. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said such measures belied the claims of normalcy in Kashmir.
Senior National Conference (NC) leader and minister Sakina Itoo made an attempt to reach the graveyard, locally known as Mazar-e-Shuhada at the Naqshband Sahib Shrine, around 4:30 a.m. wearing a burqa (head-to-toe veil), apparently to escape the security restrictions.
“Due to the heavy deployment of security forces and extensive barbed-wire barricading around the graves, I was prevented from entering (inside the premises f the shrine). Physical barriers cannot prevent us from honouring the supreme sacrifices of our martyrs. Their memory, courage, and legacy will forever remain alive in our hearts,” said Ms. Itoo.
Security forces had barricaded parts of the old city in Srinagar since Sunday and deployed extra security forces to restrict the movement of people. J&K CM Abdullah criticised the Lieutenant Governor’s administration for the “stringent measures”.
“Such (security) measures question all the claims made about normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. On the ground, nothing appears normal. I don’t remember the time when the national highway was closed for the Amarnath yatra. What does it tell you about the security situation? The fact is they are uncertain about the calm that prevails. Not more than 150 would have assembled at the graveyard but they even fear that,” said Mr. Abdullah, after holding a commemoration ceremony at the party headquarters in Srinagar.
Without naming anyone, Mr. Abdullah said those who decided to place security restrictions are “guests and will go away”. “These graves are and will be there. One day we will pay floral tributes and offer fateh to them,” said Mr. Abdullah.
Stating that a religious colouring was being given to the 1931 uprising, Mr. Abdullah said, “People laid down their precious lives fighting against Britishers, British paramountcy in J&K, monarchy and for democracy in J&K. There was nothing religious about it. Who imposed restrictions should read history. They are trying to look away from the role played by locals in the country’s freedom struggle,” said Mr. Abdullah.
Omar on BJP’s defamation notice
On a legal notice issued to him by state BJP Chief Sat Paul Sharma for claiming a bid to split the NC, Mr. Abdullah said, “It is symbolic of the way the BJP fights. They take political fights and hide behind the courts. Senior BJP leaders in J&K, particularly one leader, time and again has levelled unfounded and slanderous allegations against us. We will begin the process of sending legal notices too”.
The Centre ended J&K’s special status in 2019 and later the Lieutenant Governor also dropped July 13 as an official holiday.
Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also alleged that the authorities denied permission to the party leaders to visit the graveyard and many were placed under house arrest. Meanwhile PDP president Mehbooba Mufti paid floral tributes to the martyrs at the party headquarters in Srinagar.
“These martyrs fought against the monarchy and oppression in J&K and for a democratic set up. Unfortunately, the BJP turned these martyrs into a Hindu-Muslim issue. They are our heroes like Bhagat Singh, Ashfaqullah Khan and Gandhi ji. The role they played in the region’s history could never be erased. It’s unfortunate that the BJP does not allow us to pay tributes to them,” said Ms. Mufti.
Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also claimed to have been placed under house arrest. “It is painful and unfortunate that the people of J&K are prevented by force and paying homage to the martyrs. All roads leading to the Mazar-e-Shuhada are blocked and barricaded and restrictions imposed around Jama Masjid Srinagar. I was placed under house arrest,” said the Mirwaiz.
He said it was 95 years ago in 1931 that these civilians laid the foundation of the struggle for human rights and dignity in J&K.
Published – July 13, 2026 03:12 pm IST
