ISLAMABAD: Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, is being marked on both sides of Line of Control, the divided parts of Jammu and Kashmir and across the globe by Kashmiri nation to pay tributes to 22 martyrs of July 13, 1931, who were pioneers of Kashmir struggle for freedom.
On July 13, Kashmir was put under heavy security blanket of Indian troops and curfew is being imposed to bar Kashmiris to pay hmage to martyres. But on the other hand Kashmiris in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan and world over are marking the Kashmir Martyrs’ Day with zeal and fervor. Protest demonstrations, marches, seminars and other programs are being arranged to register protest against the foreign occupation and provoke the world conscience and inform peace-loving people about the miserable plight of Kashmiri nation.
Complete shutdown is being observed today (Tuesday), to mark the Kashmir Martyrs’ Day and all pro-freedom organizations are commemorating July 13, 1931 martyrs. Despite curfew and heavy deployment a procession will be taken out towards the Martyrs’ Graveyard, Naqashband Sahib, Khwaja Bazar, Nowhatta Srinagar.
Every year, the Day (Youm-e-Shudaha-e-Kashmir) is commemorated on July 13 to commemorate of 22 Kashmiris who were martyred outside Srinagar Central Jail by troops of Dogra ruler.
After 1931 the struggle for freedom remained continue and Kashmiris are being martyred, maimed by foreign occupation forces.
The struggle against Indian occupation gained momentum in 1989 when Kashmiri youth raised arms against Indian occupational forces. From 1989 onwards Kashmiris struggle is continue and thousands of Kashmiris were martyred and maimed and thousands of women and girls were raped and molested by Indian forces.
It is worthy to be mentioned that Kashmiris raised voice against the dogra ruler in April 19, 1931, on the ban omposed of Eid Khutba (Sermon), which ignited widespread demonstrations in the Jummu city for a number of days. It was followed by desecration of the Holy Quran at the hands of Dogra forces, which resulted into outrage among the Muslims throughout the state. In Srinagar, people gathered in Jamia Masjid to denounce this blasphemy. One such get-together was held in Khanqah-e-Maulla, Shahe-e-Hamdan monument Srinagar, which was addressed by prominent Kashmiris. A trial was started against the detained people and Dogra regime shifted trial to Srinagar Central Jail due to large public resentment.
On July 12, 1931, in response to the shifting of court, intense public protests were held throughout the city. The next day, on July 13, 1931, thousands of people thronged the Central Jail Srinagar to witness the in-camera trial. As the time for obligatory prayer approached, a young Kashmiri stood for Azan. The Dogra Governor, ordered soldiers to open fire at him. When he got martyred, another young man took his place and started Azan. He was also shot dead. In this way, 22 Kashmiris embraced martyrdom in their efforts to complete the Azan. The people carried the dead and paraded through the streets of Srinagar, chanting slogans against Dogra brutalities. Complete strike was observed in the city, which was followed by weeklong mourning.
The 22 martyrs of Dogra massacre are buried in Martyrs’ Graveyard at Khanqah-e-Naqashband (monement of Khwaja Bahauddin RA) known as Khawaja Bazar, Nowhatta downtown of Srinagar.
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