Srinagar, Jul 13: Both the ruling and the opposition leaders, including Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah, former chief minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti, former ministers Chowdry Ramzan, Altaf Bukhari, Sajad Lone, and MLAs across the political spectrum were placed under house arrest on Sunday.
Though the Police or the J&K administration did not officially confirm the house arrests, political leaders across Kashmir took to social media platforms and posted videos and pictures showing locked gates of their residences or security personnel stopping them from venturing outside to visit the Martyrs Graveyard at Naqshband Sahab shrine at Khawaja Bazaar in Srinagar downtown.
It was a case of the House placed under house arrest, democracy detained by democracy, the self-governance self-imprisoned, chairs turned into cells, and the cabinet held captive as the government arrested its own reflection.
The development coincided with annual Martyrs’ Day observation in Kashmir, an annual event since July 13, 1931, when 22 Kashmiris were killed by the Dogra soldiers.
The J&K administration had placed a ban on any official commemoration or gatherings at the Martyrs’ Graveyard near Khawaja Bazaar, where several of the 22 Kashmiris killed on July 13, 1931, lay buried.
Early morning, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to the microblogging site ‘X’ and posted: “13th July massacre is our Jallianwala Bagh. The people who laid down their lives did so against the British. Kashmir was being ruled under the British Paramountcy. What a shame that true heroes who fought against British rule in all its forms are today projected as villains only because they were Muslims. We may be denied the opportunity to visit their graves today, but we will not forget their sacrifices.”
In another post, while sharing photos of a mobile bunker and a cache of Police outside his residence, he posted: “To borrow from the late Arun Jaitley Sahab, democracy in J&K is a tyranny of the unelected. To put it in terms you will all understand today, the unelected nominees of New Delhi locked up the elected representatives of the people of J&K.”
It was state against the state.
Three-time chief minister and NC President Farooq Abdullah said “oppressive measures” cannot extinguish people’s collective memory.
In a statement issued here, he slammed restrictions on 13 July Martyrs’ Day observance, saying that barring tributes at the Martyrs’ Graveyard was a betrayal of democratic values enshrined in the Indian constitution.
Abdullah denounced the imposition of restrictions that prevented party leaders, legislators, and NC youth workers from offering Fatiha and floral tributes at the Martyrs’ Graveyard.
Calling the move a “shameful assault on democratic values”, Abdullah said that the martyrs of July 13, 1931, laid down their lives for principles of justice, representation, and dignity, principles that were now enshrined in the very constitution the government claims to uphold.
“Preventing people from remembering the July 13 martyrs is not governance but suppression. It is a blatant betrayal of the very ideals for which the July 13 martyrs gave their lives,” he said.
Abdullah stressed that such coercive tactics not only violated the constitutional rights of citizens but were also a deliberate attempt to erase the memory of Kashmir’s rich and hard-earned political legacy.
“The sacrifices of the July 13 martyrs empowered the people of J&K to reclaim their agency, their rights, and their future. Attempts to rewrite or erase that history through force and fear are both disgraceful and futile,” he said.
Abdullah took serious exception to the widespread detentions of senior NC leaders, cabinet ministers, MLAs and party functionaries, calling it an “authoritarian crackdown” aimed at silencing political expression.
“What we are witnessing is not just an insensitive overreach; it is a systematic dismantling of democratic space in J&K. These actions are clearly unconstitutional and undemocratic,” he said.
Abdullah said that such oppressive measures cannot extinguish the people’s collective memory or their commitment to honouring the sacrifices of their heroes.
“You may detain leaders and bar them from gravesites, but you cannot imprison the truth. The people of Jammu and Kashmir will never forget the courage and sacrifice of the martyrs of July 13. Their legacy lives on in every heart, and no government action can erase that,” he said.
On Sunday, the elected were restricted; the ones holding power could not step outside as the government said no to its officer bearers because it felt the government was too dangerous to roam free.
NC’s official X handle posted, “Advisor to the Hon’ble CM, @nasirsogami, spoke to the media, drawing a powerful link between the legacy of resistance against colonial oppression and the present-day curbs on JKNC leadership – a reminder that the struggle for dignity and democratic rights continues.”
Advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani, on his personal X handle posted, “Today we pay homage to the brave martyrs of 13th July 1931, valiant sons of the soil who laid down their lives against tyranny and oppression. Their supreme sacrifice sparked a movement for justice, dignity, and democratic rights in Jammu and Kashmir. Let us honour their memory by standing firm in defence of truth, unity, and the rights of our people. The shameful attitude of the law and order machinery and imposing unprecedented restrictions is highly regrettable. These martyrs fought against the British, like the rest of the country. All of us, including ministers @JavedDar_NC and @sakinaitoo, are locked in.”
Until 2019, July 13 was honoured as Martyrs’ Day and a public holiday.
However, after the revocation of Article 370 on August 5 that year, the holiday was scrapped.
This year, all major political parties in Kashmir sought to observe the day at Martyrs Graveyard, but the authorities in response placed all key political figures under house arrest to prevent public gatherings.
Minister for Education, Health, and Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo, also shared the photos of her locked house and posted on X, “Since last night, I have been put under house arrest. My other colleagues, Hon’ble Ministers, Advisor to HCM, HMLAs and other senior leaders have also been forcibly confined. This blatant, undemocratic action is meant to prevent us from visiting the graves of the martyrs of 13th July, which hold deep historical and emotional significance for us. We may be stopped from laying flowers at their graves today, but no force can stop us from keeping their memory alive in our hearts and honouring their sacrifices.”
Senior NC leader, former minister, and four-time legislator from Handwara, Chowdry Ramzan, also took to X and posted: “Like many of my colleagues, I have been unjustly placed under house arrest, confined to my home without explanation or legal basis. My party workers were stopped at multiple checkpoints, blocked and dispersed to prevent them from reaching Mazar-e-Shuhadaa in Handwara. These heavy-handed and authoritarian tactics have nothing to do with public safety; they are a blatant assault on civil liberties and democratic values. Every entry point into Handwara was sealed, placing the town under an undeclared lockdown. Access to Mazar-e-Shuhadaa and Chowdry Manzil was deliberately cut off, with massive deployment of Police and paramilitary CRPF forces, all to prevent peaceful citizens from offering Fatiha to the martyrs of July 13, 1931. Handwara is one of only four sacred places in Jammu and Kashmir where these brave souls laid down their lives, resisting tyranny, injustice, and autocracy. They didn’t just die, they built the foundation of democracy, equality and people’s dignity in this region. To stop the people from honouring them is not only undemocratic, it is morally bankrupt and shameful. We had formally requested permission two days in advance for the programme. Yet there was complete silence from the authorities. And, today, instead of cooperation, we were met with barricades and house arrests. This isn’t about law and order; it is a coordinated effort to prevent homage, to deny the people of Jammu and Kashmir the right to honour those who laid down their lives for justice, democracy, and dignity. As per Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, every state or union territory has the power to declare days of public observance, including holidays and commemorative events. Yet, here in J&K, the memory of those who fought for democracy is being actively erased, censored, and dishonoured. No force, no barricade, no repression will succeed in silencing the memory of our martyrs. Their blood runs in the conscience of this land. Their sacrifice is eternal. And their legacy will continue to inspire resistance against injustice for generations to come.”
The District Magistrate, Srinagar, on Saturday rejected the ruling NC’s plea seeking permission to pay homage to the July 13 Martyrs.
The party, in an application sent to the district magistrate, said that NC President Farooq Abdullah and other senior functionaries intend to visit the Martyrs’ Graveyard at Naqshband Sahab near Nowhatta on Sunday.
“The district administration of Srinagar has denied permission to all applicants intending to proceed towards Khawaja Bazar, Nowhatta, on July 13, 2025 (Sunday),” Police said in a public advisory posted on its handle on X on Saturday.
NC Chief Spokesman and MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq posted photos of locked houses of various NC leaders with the post, “Since last night, I like many of my colleagues, including the party leadership at Gupkar, the Advisor to the Chief Minister, and a majority of sitting MLAs have been locked inside my home. This is not just unfortunate; it is a deliberate attempt to suppress remembrance and deny us the right to honour the martyrs of July 13. Such actions are not only unnecessary, they are unjustified, deeply insensitive, and reveal a troubling disregard for history.”
Retweeting Sadiq’s post and pictures of locked houses of NC leaders, CM Omar Abdullah posted, “In a blatantly undemocratic move, homes have been locked from the outside, Police and central forces deployed as jailers and major bridges in Srinagar blocked. All to stop people from visiting a historically important graveyard containing the graves of people who laid down their lives to give Kashmiris a voice and to empower them. I will never understand what the law and order government is so afraid of.”
While the ruling NC leaders expressed dismay over the authorities not allowing their leaders to visit the Martyrs Graveyard at Khawaja Bazaar, the opposition PDP criticised both the Centre and the J&K government for the development.
Opposition PDP President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said the mistrust between Delhi and Kashmiris would truly end only when India accepted Kashmiri “martyrs” as their own.
“The day you accept our heroes as your own just as Kashmiris have embraced yours, from Mahatma Gandhi to Bhagat Singh, that day, as Prime Minister Modi once said, the ‘Dil ki Doori’ (distance of hearts) will truly end,” she said in a post on X.
“To forget the 13 July martyrs is not just historical amnesia. It is a moral failure. Their graves may be locked behind barricades, but their message lives on in the hearts of every Kashmiri who refuses to bow down,” the former chief minister said, sharing PDP’s July 2025 newsletter ‘Speak Up’ on her X handle.
Posting pictures of a locked gate of her residence on the microblogging site, she said, “When you lay siege to the Martyrs’ Graveyard, lock people in their homes to prevent them from visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada, it speaks volumes. July 13th commemorates our martyrs, those who rose against tyranny, much like countless others across the country. They will always be our heroes.”
Mehbooba said several leaders of her party who managed to sneak out of their homes had been detained at various police stations.
“Continuing with its regressive policies, many of our party leaders like Khurshid Allam, Zohaib Mir, Hamid Kohsheen, Arif Liagroo, Sara Nayeema, Tabassum, Basharat Naseem, and others who managed to sneak out of their homes have been detained at police stations. They were on their way to Mazar-e-Shuda. It seems we are getting back into the oppressive times that our 13 July Martyrs fought against,” she said.
Meanwhile, PDP criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led J&K government posting on its official X handle, “When out of power, Omar Abdullah vowed to mark 13th July ‘with the solemnity and respect it deserves.’ But when in power, he conveniently excused himself from visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada, hiding behind promotional events in other states instead. Words in opposition. Excuses in government.”
Apni Party President and former minister Altaf Bukhari also took to X to question the ruling NC’s duality on the issue.
“It is ironic that, on one hand, the ruling National Conference speaks of honouring the martyrs of July 13, 1931, yet on the other, its leaders – backed by over 50 legislators – did not even make the effort to visit the martyrs’ graveyard today to offer floral tributes on their anniversary. One can understand that this government failed to declare July 13 a gazetted holiday, because it lacked the will to do so. But what prevented the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues from visiting the graveyard to pay homage? Even if not in their official capacity, they could have gone in a personal capacity. Doing so would neither have been a crime nor a violation of any law. Will they now tell us that the Chief Minister and his cabinet were not permitted to visit the graveyard today? If so, then it raises a serious question mark over the authority and integrity of this government. And if that is the case, what else can people expect from this government? I leave that question to the conscience of the Chief Minister and the judgment of the National Conference’s leaders and workers. Some reports suggest that, instead of being present here on Martyrs’ Day and visiting the Mazar-e-Shuhada to represent the sentiments of the people, he chose to stay in Delhi today. All I will say is that today stands as one of the saddest days in our history. Many across the country may not feel a deep connection to these martyrs, perhaps because they are unaware of the historical fact that these heroes in Kashmir stood against oppression and tyranny. Their sacrifices ultimately paved the way for the restoration of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. They will always remain our heroes,” Bukhari posted on X.
Peoples Conference (PC) President and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, promised to support any move to re-declare July 13 as a public holiday.
“The memory of the July 13 martyrs is cherished and sacred. Not allowing a day of remembrance will not erase their memory or in any way dilute the sacrifices they rendered. We support any proposal to officially re-declare July 13 a holiday. It is the least that we can do for those who laid down their lives. For us all non-combatants, civilians killed post 1989 are also martyrs,” Lone posted on X.
He said that he had been stopped from leaving his residence.
“Not allowed to move out of home. Detained. I don’t know why the union government is so keen to redefine what is sacred for the people of Kashmir. The sacrifices rendered on July 13 are sacred for all of us,” Lone said.
CPI (M) senior leader and MLA Kulgam, Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami, termed July 13 a part of Jammu and Kashmir’s identity that could not be erased.
“You can erase our hearts, but how will you erase the memory of the July 13 martyrs?” Tarigami said, questioning the administration over restrictions on paying respect at the Martyrs’ Graveyard in Srinagar.
The MLA Kulgam said that he had been placed under house arrest on Sunday, with his gates locked to prevent him from stepping out on the occasion of Martyrs’ Day.
“13th July is an integral part of J&K’s history. This date has been etched into our memory because of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the prosperity of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, for self-determination, and a new beginning,” he said.
Tarigami said that no matter what today’s political parties claim, the reality remains that July 13 marks a historic movement, from Kashmir to Jammu, against meaninglessness, aristocracy, and authoritarianism. “It is a part of our identity. It cannot be erased.”
Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, he said, “August 5, 2019, was a big event, a major assault on our identity. And this identity is linked to July 13. I don’t see it separately. That’s why we don’t accept that deal, that assault. History will judge, and we hope that people will get an opportunity again.”
Targeting those questioning the significance of the day, Tarigami said, “Some are now even uncomfortable with the names of the martyrs. If someone benefits from this erasure, it is their loss too. On behalf of CPI (M) and the larger community, I repeat: this day is part of who we are.”
He said that even writers like Prem Nath Bazaz had documented the importance of this day.
“Such sacrifices have rarely been seen in any movement. Yes, mistakes have happened in history, and correction is needed. But July 13 was a clear message to the rulers of that time, who followed the path of Tana Shahi (autocracy), Jagirdari (feudalism), and Sahukari (money-lending exploitation),” Tarigami said. “Ask the people of Jammu, didn’t July 13 bring reforms? Ask the Dalits, the Kashkars (tillers). Didn’t they get land? Didn’t they get the right to education and means of livelihood? This day belongs to all of us.”
He said that whether or not the government announces a holiday, the day would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
“The history of rulers may differ, but the history of the people is different. This day is in our hearts. You can erase our hearts, but how will you erase this memory? That is my question to the rulers,” Targiami said.
Former union minister Saifuddin Soz questioned why civil liberties had been suspended in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued here, he said: “It was extremely shocking for me that I was not allowed to leave my house and go to the Martyrs Graveyard at Naqshband Sahib, Khanyar, Srinagar, today to pay homage! I felt extremely disturbed to find my gate locked from the outside. The security guard posted at my residence said that the J&K Police had locked my gate from the outside. One can raise a pertinent question with the J&K Lieutenant Governor as to why civil liberties have been suspended illegally through word of mouth. I am sure Kashmir is not experiencing any social upheavals to justify any kind of traffic and other restrictions. I appeal to the National Human Rights Commission to take notice of the incarceration against me. I also expect that Amnesty International should take notice of the highhandedness that is going on in Kashmir.”
Former minister and PDP leader, Basharat Bukhari also posted a video and a photo of his locked house on X and wrote, “At 12 in the night, Budgam Police forcibly locked both the inner and outer gates of my residence, effectively placing me under house arrest and preventing me from paying homage at the 13th July Martyrs’ graveyard, alongside my fellow party leaders.”
PDP leader and MLA Pulwama, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, questioned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s excuse of hiding behind the constraint of a “hybrid system”.
He took to X and posted, “This isn’t a day for performative debates but one of historic significance. Since abrogation, even with an absolute mandate, @OmarAbdullah has remained constrained by a hybrid system. If restoring Article 370, statehood, or control over Waqf was beyond your scope, the least you could have done was honour the legacy by standing at the graveyard. @CM_JnK’s absence from Kashmir today is nothing short of disowning July 13. The Chief Minister’s silence speaks louder than any promise. This day demanded presence, not distance. For the first time, an elected Chief Minister has chosen to stay away from both Kashmir and the graveyard on a day that calls for remembrance and perseverance.”
Former Mayor of Srinagar and one-time close aide of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Junaid Azim Mattu demanded the resignation his resignation as the chief minister.
“District Magistrates have locked up the ‘Government’ – the entire Cabinet and the MLAs. For the CM to wake up tomorrow and resume business as usual would be a grave, historic folly. The CM MUST resign. Age is on your side. Don’t be the one to bring shame to this chair,” Mattu posted on X.
On July 13, 1931, 22 Kashmiris identified as Muhammad Ramzan, 19, of Khanyar; Muhammad Usman, 20, of Kalashpora; Ghulam Muhammad Sofi, 20, of Daribal; Subhan Khan, 22, of Nawab Bazar; Ghulam Rasool Darzi, 22, of Amda Kadal; Ghulam Muhammad Naqash, 22, of Kani Kadal; Ghulam Qadir Butt, 22, of Bahandin Mohalla; Abdul Ahad, 23, of Gaw Kadal; Ghulam Muhammad Halwi, 25, of Jamia Masjid Srinagar; Abdul Qadir, 26, of Bahandin Mohalla; Amir Joo Jandagaroo, 27, of Gojwara; Ghulam Nabi Kalawal, 27, of Pandan; Ghulam Rasool Dora, 27, of Gotapora, Ahmad Rather, 30, and Ahmad Dar, 30, both of Naushdra; Abdul Khalique, 30, of Watal Kadal; Ghulam Ahmad Kalbaf, 32, of Fateh Kadal; Muhammad Akbar, 33, of Zaldagar; Abdul Khalique Shora, 33, of Wazpora; Amir Joo Makai, 35, of Nawa Kadal; Wali Wani, 50, of Batapora, and Shaaban Joo Makai, 60, of Nawa Kadal fell to the bullets of Dogra soldiers outside Srinagar’s Central Jail.
