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Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Political parties seek permission to observe Martyrs' Day on July 13
The big regional political parties of Jammu and Kashmir including the ruling National Conference have written to Srinagar district magistrate seeking permission to peacefully assemble and pay floral tributes at Mazar-e-Shuhada on the occasion of Martyrs' Day on July 13. Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said that they have moved an application to seek permission to hold a rally at the martyrs cemetery in the old city. (File) In the erstwhile J&K state, July 13 was not only the state holiday but official functions used to be held at martyrs cemetery in the old city. After J&K became UT, the administration not only cancelled the state holiday but also discontinued any function. With the first July 13 in the public government, different political parties have sought permission to hold programmes especially floral tributes in memory of 1931 martyrs who were killed by the forces of erstwhile maharaja of J&K. National Conference, in a statement, on Thursday said that for decades, the party has solemnly observed Martyrs' Day on July 13, honouring the valiant sacrifices made in 1931. 'After 2019, we have repeatedly been denied the right to commemorate this historic day - a day deeply rooted in the collective memory and political conscience of our people. This year, in keeping with our tradition, we have formally written to the Srinagar district magistrate seeking permission to peacefully assemble and pay floral tributes at Mazar-e-Shuhada,' NC spokesperson said. 'We sincerely hope that this time, our democratic and peaceful request will be respected, and that the National Conference will be allowed to mark this day in accordance with tradition and sentiment,' the spokesperson said. Ex J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti termed the NC exercise a lip service 'Omar Abdullah government's proposal sent to LG about declaring July 13 and December 5 as public holidays would have carried weight if the Speaker had supported PDP's resolution for the same in the assembly. The Speaker's outright rejection of the resolution was unexpected and disappointing. Today's exercise looks more like lip service than any serious effort,' Mehbooba Mufti wrote on X while sharing the old resolution that was moved by PDP MLA Waheed Para in the assembly. PDP leadership to also pay homage Meanwhile, Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said that they have moved an application to seek permission to hold a rally at the martyrs cemetery in the old city. 'If you don't want to hold a function. Allow us we have already sought permission to hold a rally and pay floral tributes to martyrs of 1931 who laid their lives for the future of J&K,' Bukhari said in Srinagar. Four months after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the centre controlled administration of J&K union territory had changed the list of official holidays, doing away with July 13 and December 5 as official holidays and added October 26 - the day the region had acceded to union of India in 1947- to the list. July 13 was observed as Martyr's Day in the erstwhile state of J&K in memory of 21 Kashmiris who were killed by the army of Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh during an uprising in 1931 when the region was a princely state. Before 2019, Kashmir would observe a shutdown every year on the day in memory of the martyrs venerated by both mainstream politicians as well as separatists. December 5 is the birthday of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah who is considered J&K's tallest leader among mainstream politicians. The NC after coming to power in J&K last year had written to lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha urging him to include both days in the list of state holidays. Meanwhile, J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah, sources said, will visit the martyrs cemetery in the old city to pay tributes to those killed in 1931.
New Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Call for restoration of ‘Martyrs Day' heats up as NC set to hold meeting
SRINAGAR: With the removal of July 13 'Martyrs' Day' from the list of gazetted holidays by the Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor's administration post Article 370 abrogation, all eyes are now on whether the Omar Abdullah-led government will restore official functions on the day, even as Kashmir-based parties renew their demand to declare it a public holiday. The BJP has asserted it will strongly oppose holding of any official functions on July 13 to mark 'Martyrs Day'. 'July 13 is a very important day. It is the day of July 13, 1931 martyrs. The NC government should declare a holiday on Martyrs Day,' J&K Apni Party president and former minister Altaf Bukhari said. He also demanded that the 'Martyrs' Day' be observed at the state level as it used to be. Before Article 370 abrogation, July 13 was observed as 'Martyrs Day' in erstwhile J&K state to mark the killing of 22 Kashmiri civilians by Dogra troops under Maharaja Hari Singh on this day in 1931.
United News of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
With Sgr-Jmu highway closed, Bukhari calls for immediate launch of Vande Bharat Express
Srinagar, Apr 21 (UNI) Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari on Monday urged the immediate commencement of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express to support the people during the ongoing weather crisis, which has led to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu Highway — the Valley's only surface link to the rest of the country. Pertinently, the recent heavy rainfall, flash floods, stormy winds, landslides, and shooting stones at various locations — particularly in the Ramban district — have forced the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu road, leaving a large number of people, including tourists, stranded on the highway. In this backdrop, Bukhari urged the government to roll out the Vande Bharat Express to ensure uninterrupted connectivity and continuous tourist flow. 'At a time when the Srinagar-Jammu highway is closed due to weather calamity, and the Valley's surface link with the rest of the country is disrupted, it is highly advisable to start the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on an urgent basis,' he wrote on his X handle: He further said, 'Since this high-speed train service, aimed at boosting regional connectivity and tourism, is already set to begin, the government should launch it immediately to ensure connectivity and allow the ongoing tourism season—currently at its peak—to continue without hindrance.' 'The fanfare for the formal inauguration of this special train service can be held at a later date. Thankfully, the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is already set to commence, as it was scheduled to be inaugurated by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on April 19, before being postponed. Therefore, starting the service now would be an appropriate step to support the people during this time of crisis,' Bukhari added. Landslides and flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in Jammu's Ramban district claimed three lives and left a trail of destruction on Sunday, reducing homes and stretches of the national highway to piles of rubble. UNI MJR KK
