Srinagar admn denies nod for Martyrs’ Day event; NC, PDP leaders decry move
The Srinagar district administration on Saturday denied permission to political parties to visit the historic Martyrs’ Graveyard in the old city on Martyrs’ Day tomorrow.
Several Valley-based parties had formally approached the Srinagar District Magistrate, seeking clearance to pay tributes at the Khawaja Bazar graveyard in Nowhatta. Among them was the ruling National Conference (NC), which currently has no control over the Home Department and law and order apparatus, having submitted an official request earlier this week.
In a public advisory posted on social media platform X late Saturday evening, the Srinagar Police announced: “Srinagar administration has denied permission to all applicants intending to proceed towards Khawaja Bazar, Nowhatta on Sunday.”
The advisory urged the general public to strictly adhere to the instructions and avoid violating the District Administration’s orders. “Any violation of these orders shall invite strict legal action under relevant provisions of law,” it warned.
The move continues a trend initiated after 2019 by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration, which has routinely barred political leaders from visiting the site—even now, with an elected government in place.
Martyrs’ Day commemorates the killing of 22 civilians by the Dogra forces on July 13, 1931, during a protest against autocratic rule. The day has traditionally been marked by visits and tributes at the Nowhatta graveyard, once a state-sanctioned function.
The decision to restrict access drew sharp criticism from regional political leaders, including those from the ruling NC. “We will still go. Why should they stop us? It used to be a state function. What justification are they giving now?” said NC general secretary and MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar.
“There is no politics involved. We informed the administration we would go in the morning to offer prayers. We have always gone there and will continue to do so,” he added.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Zuhaib Yousf Mir also condemned the move: “No diktat can deter us from honouring the courageous martyrs of our land. Whether some choose to remove this day from the list of holidays or not, our resolve remains unwavering. Unfortunately, many of us have been incarcerated in our homes or police stations. This is a travesty of justice and belittling democracy. Freedom of expression means nothing to this government.”
Awami Ittehad Party leader Inam Un Nabi called the denial of permission “deeply disappointing and undemocratic.”
In a surprise gesture, PDP leader Iltija Mufti managed to visit the Martyrs’ Graveyard on Saturday, ahead of the official observance.
“Knowing that tomorrow we’d be prevented from moving out, we managed to pay tributes to our martyrs who laid down their lives on 13th July 1931 for democracy,” she wrote on X.
“Their memory is being wilfully erased, yet their voices echo in every Kashmiri’s heart that refuses to bow and dares to hope,” she added.
J & K