Avinash Azad
In a scathing attack on LG Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday, after paying tributes to the “martyrs” of July 1931 at the Naqshband Sahib shrine — where police again tried to prevent entry — said it was extremely unfortunate that those who claim their responsibility is limited to security and law and order did not allow them to come there yesterday and pay their respects.
A day after being prevented by authorities from visiting the Martyrs’ Graveyard on July 13, Chief Minister Omar strongly criticized the administration for what he called an “unlawful and disrespectful” restriction.
Speaking to the media after offering Fatiha (prayers) at the historic Naqshband Sahib shrine in Srinagar, alonwith Party Chief Dr Farooq Abdullah and other leaders, where the graves of the July 13 martyrs are located, Omar Abdullah expressed deep anguish over how he and other leaders were allegedly placed under house arrest on Saturday.
“It is extremely unfortunate that those who claim their responsibility is limited to security and law and order did not allow us to come here yesterday and pay our respects. We were locked in our homes from early morning,” Omar said, taking a jibe at LG Manoj Sinha, who says that his responsibilities are limited to security and law and order.
He described how, upon informing the authorities about his intent to visit the graveyard, security bunkers were placed outside his residence within minutes, effectively blocking his movement until late at night.
“Today, I didn’t inform anyone. I simply sat in my car and left. Yet, they shamelessly tried to stop me again — they stationed a CRPF bunker at Nowhatta Chowk, blocked the road with police vehicles, and even attempted physical confrontation,” he said.
Abdullah questioned the legality of the police action and said such tactics contradict the principles of a democratic nation. “If restrictions were needed, they should have been for July 13. They say this is a free country, but behave as if we are their subjects. We are not slaves to anyone — we serve the people of this land,” he said, accusing some uniformed personnel of disregarding the law they are meant to uphold.
Despite the hurdles, Omar Abdullah asserted that he successfully reached the site and paid homage to the martyrs. “They tried to stop us, tried to tear our flags, but they failed. We came, we prayed. They seem to forget that these graves are not only here on July 13. These martyrs are with us every day of the year — July 12, 14, December, January — how long will they keep us away?” he asked.
July 13 Martyrs’ Day, once an official holiday in Jammu & Kashmir, commemorates the 22 Kashmiris who were killed by the Dogra regime in 1931. Since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the day has lost its official recognition, sparking recurring political tension around its observance.
Despite the current restrictions, Omar vowed that tributes to the martyrs would continue: “We will come whenever we wish, and we will remember our martyrs. No one can erase them from our history.” The incident once again brings into focus the friction between J&K’s political leadership and the Union Territory’s administration over historical symbolism and democratic rights.
