MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The people of Kashmir living on both sides of the Line of Control, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and around the world are observing Kashmir Martyrs’ Day with devotion and respect today in memory of the martyrs of July 13, 1931.
On this occasion, rallies, protest meetings and prayer events are being organised in different parts of the state, in which tributes are being paid to the Kashmiri martyrs.
Kashmir Martyrs’ Day is observed every year to commemorate the sacrifice of 22 Kashmiri Muslims, who were martyred on July 13, 1931, outside the Central Jail in Srinagar while they were demonstrating in favor of an arrested Muslim Qadeer Khan.
Qadeer Khan was facing a sedition case against a British military officer and a large crowd had gathered outside the jail on this occasion. As soon as a man started reciting the call to prayer, the Dogra police shot and killed him. After this, every person who stood up to complete the call to prayer was targeted one after another, and thus 22 Kashmiri Muslims were martyred.
This incident is a milestone in the history of the Kashmir freedom movement.
A protest meeting was held in Muzaffarabad on the call of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference . Addressing the main meeting, the speakers paid tribute to the martyrs and said that the sacrifice of the martyrs is the bright lamp of the Kashmir freedom movement, which will continue to ignite the struggle from generation to generation.
They said that the Kashmiri people will continue their struggle until the completion of Pakistan and the achievement of the right to self-determination.
Prayer events, meetings and rallies are also being held in various cities including Rawalakot, Kotli, Bagh, Mirpur, Neelum and Haveli in other parts of the state.
Citizens paid tribute to the martyrs through placards and banners and demanded that the international community, including the United Nations, play an effective role in resolving the Kashmir issue.
A grand ceremony was also held in a private college in Kotli in connection with the Day of Martyrs of Kashmir, in which tribute was paid to the martyrs of July 13, 1931 and the martyrs of the struggle for truth.
The ceremony was attended by Minister for Higher Education Zafar Iqbal Malik, Minister for Health Dr. Nisar Ansar Abdali, Minister for Rehabilitation Javed Iqbal Badhanvi, Member of Kashmir Council Muhammad Hanif Malik and various senior military and civil officers.
Moreover, A prayer ceremony was held in memory of the martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir at the district headquarters Samahni Chowk. While the participants raised banners and placards to express solidarity with the martyrs, demanded Kashmir independence, and raised anti-India slogans.
Tehsildar Qaiser Mahmood Shams, President Citizen Forum Iqbal Inqilabi, Muhammad Shakeel, Muhammad Osama and other various political and social figures attended the ceremony. Special prayers were offered for the elevation of the martyrs.
The main official ceremony on the occasion of Kashmir Martyrs’ Day will be held at the District Headquarters Complex in Muzaffarabad, in which a large number of government representatives, political leaders and citizens will participate. On this occasion, prayers will be offered for the martyrs and tribute will be paid to their sacrifices.
