Police Block J&K Parties’ Visit to 1931 Uprising Graveyard in Srinagar

Swift Summary:

• The Jammu and Kashmir Police have denied permission for commemoration functions on July 13, 2025, at the Khawaja Bazar graveyard in Srinagar, where 22 civilians killed in a 1931 uprising are buried.
• Observance of ‘Martyrs Day,’ honored before the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, is now non-official following administrative changes under the L-G’s leadership post-2019.
• Regional parties like National conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) requested permission to visit the graveyard but were denied by authorities. PDP leader Iltija Mufti visited earlier on Saturday due to anticipated restrictions.
• NC leader Tanvir sadiq criticized the decision as “deeply unfortunate,” emphasizing historical significance and calling suppression of remembrance “unjust.”
• Mirwaiz Umar Farooq stated he was placed under house detention for a second day, condemning actions aimed at erasing memories of sacrifices made in pursuit of basic rights.
• BJP MP Ghulam ali Khatana stated that those who sacrificed their lives should be regarded as martyrs of India and J&K.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The denial of permissions for observing ‘martyrs Day’ highlights deeper tensions regarding regional identity and historical memory following significant administrative shifts in Jammu & Kashmir post-abrogation of Article 370. While safety concerns may play a role behind such decisions from local authorities, critics argue this policy undermines public emotional connections with key cultural events.

This situation underscores challenges faced by democratic institutions attempting reconciliation without erasing contested histories or alienating specific groups. Calls from political leaders urging reflection suggest these restrictions could result in expanded dialog about managing sensitive commemorations within evolving governance frameworks. Principled engagement remains critical to balancing present priorities with history’s weight.

Read more: Published – July 13, 2025 Source.