July 13 divide: Martyrs’ Day is Kashmir, ‘black day’ in Jammu

Srinagar: A shutdown was observed across the Kashmir valley on the Martyrs’ Day on Friday, while it was a “black day” in Jammu — bringing to fore the sharp divide between the two regions of the state. Various organisations in Jammu protested against the statewide holiday on the Martyrs’ Day (July 13).
A complete shutdown was observed in Kashmir on the call of separatist leaders who were put under house arrest to thwart their march that could have created violence in the city.

The J-K High Court Bar Association, Srinagar, paid rich tributes to the martyrs of 13 July 1931. Remembering the sacrifices of the people, the Bar Association demanded that the mission of these martyrs should be carried forward by all those who believe in fundamental freedom of the people, and seek settlement of Kashmir dispute in accordance with the Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, which are awaiting implementation for the last more than 70 years.

On the other hand, the High Court Bar Association of Jammu protested against the state government observing holiday on the Martyrs Day. Prem Sadotra, general secretary of the association, in a statement said: “In fact, on this day in 1931, some anti-social elements laid the basis for the present day atmosphere in the Valley by inciting communal violence.”

The association organised a camp to provide free legal aid to the needy people in furtherance of its decision to observe this day as a working day.

The Panun Kashmir (PK), an organisation of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits, organised a genocide and holocaust exhibition. PK’s president Ashwani Chrungoo said that 13 July in 1931 represented a big “conspiracy” against the Hindu community in Kashmir and also against the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, sponsored at the behest of the British colonial rulers and was spearheaded by the then J-K Muslim Conference. Hindus were made the victims of genocidal action, loot, arson and mayhem selectively in the Valley, he alleged.

Certain Valley-based organisations took exception to neither Governor NN Vohra nor any of his three advisers offering floral tributes at the graves of the martyrs. These organisations also did not relish the government holding a meeting in the secretariat on a state holiday.

In his message on the Day, Vohra called upon the leaders of all political, religious parties, social organisations and the people of the State to shed all differences and join hands to make Jammu and Kashmir peaceful and prosperous. He urged the people to work towards restoring the pristine glory of the state as an abode of peace, harmony and prosperity.

13 July is observed as an official holiday in J-K to mark the killing of 22 Kashmiris in police firing outside the Srinagar’s Central Jail where a large procession was organised against the Hindu ruler by Kashmiri leaders of those days.