Kashmir 'Martyrs' Day': Marches foiled, leaders claim house arrest

The Jammu and Kashmir administration thwarted the plans of mainstream political parties to pay homage to the 22 Kashmiris killed by the army of Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh on this day in 1931.

Several political leaders, including PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, claimed authorities have put them under house arrest to prevent them from visiting the ‘martyrs’ graveyard’ to pay homage.

There was no official word on the claims made by the politicians.

The former chief minister alleged that authorities had locked her in her residence in Khimber, preventing her from visiting the martyrs’ graveyard to pay tribute. “The gates of my house have been locked up yet again to prevent me from visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada – an enduring symbol of Kashmir’s resistance and resilience against authoritarianism, oppression, and injustice,” Mufti posted on X.

Mufti decried the administration’s actions as an attempt to erase Kashmir’s collective memory. “On 5th August 2019, J&K was dismembered, disempowered, and stripped of everything that was sacrosanct for us. They intend to erase each one of our collective memories,” she said, referring to the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state into Union Territories. “But such assaults will only strengthen our determination to continue the fight for our rights and dignity,” she added.