Will always uphold legacy of defending dignity: Mirwaiz on 1931 ‘martyrs’

Srinagar : All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said the organisation would uphold the legacy of defending the dignity of the people of J&K and endeavour to realise their aspiration..

Addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jamia mosque here, Mirwaiz Umar said they would seek a peaceful end to the conflict left behind by those killed on July 13, 1931.

On July 13, 1931, at least 22 civilians were killed in a protest outside the Srinagar Central Jail. The protest was triggered after people were restrained from attending the court proceeding of Abdul Qadeer, who was under trial for making a fiery speech against the monarchy.

J&K over the years used to observe – July 13 the ‘Martyrs Day’, as a state holiday, but after Article 370 was scrapped in August 2019 the government cancelled the ‘state holiday’ status. Since then, no state function is held at the graveyard, in the old city and no gun salutes are fired, as used to be the practice earlier.

Mirwaiz Umar paid glowing tributes to those killed in 1931 and said these people stood up to the despot of the time and laid down their lives in the path of justice and to assert the rights and protect the dignity of the people of J&K.

Mirwaiz said their valour will always be remembered and recalled. “It was the tradition from the time of ‘shaheed e Millat’ Mirwaiz Farooq, that a procession to the martyrs’ graveyard was led by him and a rally thereafter was held to commemorate the occasion and pay tributes to the martyrs,. Even after he became the Mirwaiz the tradition continued, but no such event is possible now due to the ban and restrictions being imposed by authorities. So today a day earlier at Jama Masjid we remember these martyrs and their sacrifices and pay homage to them,” said.

“We will always uphold the legacy they left behind of defending the dignity and the realisation of aspirations of the people of J&K and seeking an end to the conflict peacefully,” he added.