Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 6: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today protested against Leader of Opposition in Assembly Sunil Sharma over his remarks on the 1931 “martyrs”.
Led by PDP leader Iltija Mufti, party leaders and activists marched from the party head office here towards the Lal Chowk City centre but were stopped by police near Polo View.
The demanded an apology from Sharma. The protesters, carrying placards reading “Martyrs of July 13, 1931 are our heroes” and “July 13, 1931 sacrifices will never die”, raised slogans against Sharma and the BJP.
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Speaking to reporters, Iltija said that July 13, 1931-observed as Martyrs’ Day-marked the beginning of Jammu and Kashmir’s struggle for democracy. “The people of J&K made sacrifices for democratic ideals, just as the rest of the country did. The only difference is that their struggle was against a local ruler,” she said.
She thanked Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather for expunging Sharma’s controversial remarks and demanded an unconditional apology from the BJP leader.
“The BJP is trying to manipulate history with a divisive agenda. If they truly revere Maharaja Hari Singh, why did they revoke J&K’s state flag, its constitution, and the special status he negotiated at the time of accession?” she questioned.
The PDP also reiterated its demand to reinstate July 13 as a public holiday, accusing the BJP-led administration of attempting to erase Jammu and Kashmir’s historical legacy.
She called on other parties to support a resolution brought by PDP MLA Waheed Para seeking restoration of holidays on July 13 and December 5 – the birthday of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
Sharma made the remarks in response to a resolution by PDP MLA Waheed Para, who urged the restoration of Martyrs’ Day as a state holiday. The day was previously a public holiday but was scrapped by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A.
Meanwhile, PDP workers in Pulwama held a separate protest, burning an effigy of Sharma and demanding an apology. “July 13 martyrs are our pride, and we will not tolerate their disrespect. The government must restore the public holiday to honor them,” a protester said.
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