Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday, 13 July, condemned restrictions imposed in Srinagar as 'uncalled for and unfortunate', asserting that the struggle of 13 July 1931 — observed by the National Conference (NC) as Martyrs' Day — was a fight against oppression and had nothing to do with religion. The Chief Minister spoke to reporters at the NC headquarters, the 'Nawa-e-Subha' complex, after paying floral tributes to the 1931 martyrs.

What Omar Abdullah Said

Speaking after being prevented from visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada (Martyrs' Graveyard), Abdullah said those who enforced the restrictions had failed to grasp the history of Jammu and Kashmir. 'It is unfortunate that those who fought against oppression and to protect the dignity of Jammu and Kashmir are today being denied tributes. Those who decided to seal Mazar-e-Shuhada should have first read the history of Jammu and Kashmir,' he said.

The Chief Minister was unequivocal about the character of the 1931 movement. 'This was not a religious fight. It was a struggle against oppression, for democracy and against British paramountcy. Today, attempts are being made to present it as something else,' he said.

Restrictions Questioned

Abdullah challenged the scale of the security response, noting that the number of people intending to visit the graveyard was minimal. 'I don't think more than 150 people would have gone there to pay tributes, yet they treated it as a threat. This itself contradicts the repeated claims that everything is normal,' he said.

In an oblique reference to the Lieutenant Governor-headed security establishment, he added: 'Those who barred us today will leave tomorrow; only the people of Kashmir will remain here.' He reiterated that no barricade or security restriction could erase the sacrifices of the 1931 martyrs.

Contradiction With 'Normalcy' Claims

The Chief Minister drew a pointed comparison with the Amarnath Yatra, arguing that even during the pilgrimage — which involves large-scale movement — such restrictions had historically not been imposed. 'We are repeatedly told everything is normal, but the ground reality says otherwise. Earlier, such restrictions were never imposed during the Yatra. Today they are doing it,' he said.

This comes amid an ongoing tension between the elected state government and the centrally appointed Lieutenant Governor's administration over the exercise of authority in Jammu and Kashmir, which has remained a Union Territory since the revocation of its special status in August 2019.

Historical Context

The events of 13 July 1931 are a foundational moment in Kashmiri political memory. On that date, Dogra rule forces opened fire on a crowd gathered outside the Central Jail in Srinagar, killing multiple protesters — an incident the National Conference has long commemorated as a symbol of resistance against autocratic rule. The day was officially recognised as a state holiday until the J&K government denotified it in 2023, a move that itself sparked political controversy.

Abdullah's remarks signal that the NC intends to continue commemorating the date, and that the Chief Minister sees the restrictions as part of a broader attempt to reframe — and suppress — the political legacy of 1931.