Latest news with #J&KApniParty
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Friday prayers barred at Jama Masjid in Srinagar ahead of ‘Martyrs Day': Mirwaiz
The authorities on Friday (July 11, 2025) disallowed congregational prayers at historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar, two days ahead of 'Martyrs' Day' in J&K. A spokesman of the Jama Masjid said Kashmir's chief cleric Umar Farooq was disallowed by the authorities to go to the mosque and was put under house arrest, 'fearing the mention of the martyrs of 13th July 1931 in his Friday sermon'. 'The sacrifice of these martyrs, and all the martyrs since, is etched in the collective memory of Kashmir and cannot be undone by restrictions and bans. No living nation can forget the supreme sacrifice of life of its martyrs against tyranny and injustice,' the spokesman said. He appealed to the authorities to remove the restrictions and allow people to peacefully pay homage to the martyrs of 13th July. 'If allowed as per tradition, the Mirwaiz will visit the martyrs' graveyard after Zuhr prayers and pay homage to the revered martyrs,' the spokesman added. Several J&K's regional parties are preparing to pay tributes at the graveyard in Srinagar on Sunday (July 13). Many parties, including ruling National Conference (NC) and J&K Apni Party, have written to the district magistrate, Srinagar, for permission to visit the graveyard on July 13. The Central government dropped July 13 from the official holiday list and ended the practice of official ceremony at the graveyard in Srinagar's Naqshband shrine in 2019, months after the special status was brought to an end. However, the NC, which came to power in J&K last year, is advocating inclusion of July 13 in the list of official holidays and re-start the practice of an official ceremony at the graveyard. 'It's deeply unfortunate and unacceptable that the Mirwaiz has once again been detained at home and prevented from fulfilling his religious duties. Silencing a religious leader, especially a day before 13th July, dishonours not just his voice but the legacy of our martyrs,' NC leader and MLA Tanvir Sadiq said. He said July 13, 1931, was a turning point in Kashmir's history, and a brave stand against tyranny and injustice. 'No bans or restrictions can erase the memory of that sacrifice. Kashmir will always honour its martyrs with dignity, peace, and truth. The NC will restore July 13 as a holiday,' Mr. Sadiq said. Meanwhile, BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur said those who died in 1931 were 'goons and rioters'. 'It was a loot day for Kashmiri Pandits,' he added. July 13, 1931, was observed as 'Martyrs Day' in J&K to commemorate the killing of 22 civilians, who were shot dead in a rebellion against the Dogra monarchy.
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.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
NC decides to observe July 13 as Martyrs' Day
SRINAGAR: National Conference has decided to observe July 13 as Martyrs' Day to commemorate to the death of 22 Kashmiris at the hands of Dogra soldiers during a protest on that day in 1931. 'Our stand on July 13 is clear. We have profound respect for the martyrs of that day. We will observe it, regardless of whether it is declared a public holiday or not,' party spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said. He said July 13 represents a collective struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir against the Dogra rulers and should not be given any religious colour. Party chief Farooq Abdullah said, 'These were the people who sacrificed their lives to free Jammu and Kashmir from monarchy.' The party on Monday held a meeting to finalize arrangements for the day. In Jan 2020, six months after the abrogation of Article 370, the state govt removed from the list of public holidays July 13 and Dec 5, National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's birth anniversary. On Monday, J&K Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari urged the govt 'to declare July 13 as a gazetted holiday in memory of the martyrs of 1931.' In March, PDP legislator Waheed Parra brought a resolution in the assembly, demanding the restoration of July 13 as a public holiday. BJP legislator Sunil Sharma objected to his resolution, claiming that the 22 Kashmiris killed by Dogra forces in 1931 were 'not martyrs, but traitors.' Sharma's remark evoked protests from National Conference, PDP, and Congress. The Speaker later expunged Sharma's remarks from the official record.
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pahalgam attack casts shadow on turnoutat Kheer Bhawani
The Pahalgam terror attack has cast a shadow on the annual festival of Zyestha Ashtami at the Kheer Bhawani temple in Kashmir. According to official figures, the first batch of Kashmiri Pandit devotees, who have come from several parts of the country to Kashmir for the festival, has fallen to 2,500 this year compared to around 4,500 last year. In total, over 30,000 devotees paid obeisance at the temple last year. Additional security However, a subdued response to the key festival of Kashmiri Pandits is evident in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians dead. Extra security arrangements have been made this year for the festival, officials said. Congress leader Karan Singh on Monday (June 2, 2025) urged devotees to attend the festival in large numbers. 'All necessary security arrangements are in place in Kashmir, especially in Tulmulla area of Ganderbal district, home to the Kheer Bhawani temple,' Mr. Singh, who paid obeisance on Monday, said. 'This place is a great blessing of the Goddess. We must not be afraid and must show the world that we are strong in our faith. People of Kashmir have suffered the most during the conflict. All need to rise above fear and support the region's revival by participating in religious and cultural events,' he added. The Kheer Bhawani festival falls on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshta Ashtami and is being organised at Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Tikker in Kupwara, Devsar and Manzam in Kulgam and Logripora in Anantnag. Former J&K Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti said, 'The festival has historically been a remarkable example of communal harmony. Even during the challenging years following the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, local Kashmiri Muslims took on the responsibility of maintaining and protecting the Kheer Bhawani shrine, ensuring its sanctity was preserved. This act of care and devotion underscores the deep ties of mutual respect and coexistence that have defined the relationship between the two communities.' With a sense of fear looming large this year post-Pahalgam attack and the four-day military confrontation between India and Pakistan, local politicians have come forward to encourage Pandits to visit the Valley temples. 'The festival has historically been a remarkable example of communal harmony. Even during the challenging years following the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, local Kashmiri Muslims took on the responsibility of maintaining and protecting the Kheer Bhawani shrine, ensuring its sanctity was preserved. This act of care and devotion underscores the deep ties of mutual respect and coexistence that have defined the relationship between the two communities,' former J&K chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti said. J&K Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said the Kheer Bhawani Mela has been the symbol of Kashmir's pluralistic ethos for centuries. 'This sacred festival has played a vital role in fostering communal harmony, brotherhood, and mutual respect among the diverse communities,' he said. Officials said the district administration has made elaborate facilities for devotees. 'To cater to the food and water needs of the pilgrims, langar services and drinking water points have been ensured. Health facilities including the presence of medical teams and ambulances remain on standby throughout the Mela. Moreover, mobile ATMs have been made available to ensure financial convenience for the devotees,' an official said.
New Indian Express
02-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
A homecoming for 3 PDP turncoats in J&K
Three leaders who had deserted the PDP — ex-MLAs Aijaz Ahmad Mir and Noor Mohammad as well as Raja Waheed — returned to the party like the prodigal son on Saturday. And they were duly welcomed back by none other than party president and former CM Mehbooba Mufti. While Noor had quit the PDP after the abrogation of Article 370 and crossed over to Altaf Bukhari's J&K Apni Party, Aijaz had left before the Assembly polls last year, as he was denied a mandate from the Shopian Assembly seat. Many PDP turncoats had also returned to the party fold before the Assembly elections. Most of them, however, failed to win over voters. Shut down unauthorised websites: Govt to depts In view of growing cyber attacks, the J&K government has asked its departments to shut down all their privately hosted and unauthorised departmental websites. An order issued in this regard by the Commissioner Secretary to Government highlighted the risks associated with unauthorised digital platforms, outdated hardware or software infrastructure and a rise in incidents of phishing. The directive stated that no future departmental websites be developed or hosted on non-government domains. It further stressed that, no official communication shall be made or responded to if transmitted from non-government email accounts.
