Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday claimed that she has been placed under house arrest to prevent her from visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada on Martyrs’ Day. She shared images of her residence’s locked gate on Twitter, expressing that this act was to stop her from paying homage to Kashmir’s martyrs, symbolizing the resistance and resilience of Kashmiris against oppression.
Mufti remarked on Twitter, “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. The sacrifice of our martyrs is a testament that the spirit of Kashmiris cannot be crushed.”
Join us on WhatsApp, click here
She further criticized the government, saying that observing Martyrs’ Day has been criminalized since August 5, 2019, when Jammu and Kashmir was reorganized, disempowered, and stripped of its special status. She emphasized that such measures only strengthen the determination to fight for their rights and dignity.
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 & resilience against authoritarianism, oppression & injustice. The sacrifices of our martyrs is a testament that the spirit of Kashmiri’s… pic.twitter.com/Q3cHoHyryp
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 13, 2024
Historically, leaders from all mainstream parties in Jammu and Kashmir visit Mazar-e-Shuhada in Srinagar on July 13 to honour 22 protesters allegedly killed by the Maharaja’s army in 1931.
ALSO READ: MHA amends Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act to give more powers to Lieutenant Governor
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah also condemned the “police excesses” preventing people from paying homage. He commented, “Everywhere else in the country, these people would have been celebrated but in J-K the administration wants to ignore these sacrifices.”
For no reason informed of being under house arrest. I really fail to understand what the administration gets in stopping people from going to the martyrs graveyard.
People have a right to choose their heroes. And the martyrs are heroes for the people of Kashmir.
Why be in a…
— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) July 13, 2024
Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone claimed he was also placed under house arrest on Martyrs’ Day. He expressed his frustration on Twitter, stating, “For no reason informed of being under house arrest. I really fail to understand what the administration gets in stopping people from going to the martyrs’ graveyard. People have a right to choose their heroes. And the martyrs are heroes for the people of Kashmir.”
For no reason informed of being under house arrest. I really fail to understand what the administration gets in stopping people from going to the martyrs graveyard.
People have a right to choose their heroes. And the martyrs are heroes for the people of Kashmir.
Why be in a…
— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) July 13, 2024
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference held a peaceful gathering at our Party Headquarters to honor the brave souls who sacrificed their lives on July 13, 1931. Despite our top leadership being under house arrest, our dedicated workers attempted to visit Mazar-e-Shouda to pay… pic.twitter.com/fcsD8GVokg
— JKNC (@JKNC_) July 13, 2024
This situation highlights the ongoing tensions and restrictions faced by political leaders and citizens in Jammu and Kashmir, especially on significant historical dates.
