The official celebrations of the Martyrs’ Day, the 13th of July this year were unique in many respects. It was for the first time in the history of Kashmir that the common people as well as the leaders of the popular movement were physically prevented from visiting the Mazar-i-Shuhada and paying homage to the Martyrs of 1931. Apparently the Government did not want the call for Lal Chowk Chalo to materialise and to scuttle the march they had to put the entire valley under the notorious and the most “unconstitutional” preventive measure of “Undeclared” curfew. This single act of the government vividly demonstrates that the people of Kashmir have not given up the mission for which the martyrs of 1931 laid their lives. Additionally, it seems the mainstream leaders wanted to take revenge for last year’s happenings at the Mazar-i-Shuhada when people stoned and chased them away. Most of these leaders had to beat a hasty retreat and one of the leaders while running away had to leave her chappals behind! There cannot be a worse mockery than paying the so called homage to the Martyrs who laid their lives for the peoples’ cause after confining the entire population in their homes! The long period of 78 years since the martyrdom of these brave souls of Kashmir has seen many ups and downs. The movement itself has witnessed many twists and turns. Kashmir had seen many rebellions against the external rule but the events of July 13, 1931 were a turning point. It was the first mass awakening against the autocratic rule of the Dogra Maharajas. The events have been well documented by the local as well as foreign authors. The protests starting against the desecration of holy Quran in Jammu had turned into a mass movement against the Maharaja’s autocratic rule. The real trouble had started after the fiery speech of Abdul Qadeer, the butler of a British resident, at Khanqa-e-Mu’ulla. Qadeer was subsequently arrested and put on trial for sedition. In view of the popular upsurge his trial was shifted to the Srinagar Central Jail. The people were gathering near the Central Jail on the fateful day of July 13 demanding an open trial, when the Dogra soldiers fired on them killing 21 and wounding scores of others. The bodies were taken in a procession for burial and Maharaja imposed Martial law. The events snowballed and thus started the movement for Kashmir’s emancipation. The movement threw up the 25 year old teacher Sheikh Abdullah to become the charismatic Lion of Kashmir. Thus, this day is symbolic for the rise of the first real revolutionary movement in Kashmir. The spirit of those revolutionary days still lives in the hearts of Kashmiris and they have not given up their struggle in spite of the numerous somersaults by their leaders. In fact, it is rather their leaders who have let them down from time to time. The mission, which the martyrs had started, is still incomplete. Unfortunately, due to the betrayal of their cause by some of the leaders, Kashmiris have landed in worse situation than the one which existed in 1931. Those days they had only one adversary, the autocratic Maharaja but now they have two nuclear powers to contend with!

There is a strange dichotomy in regard to these martyrs. They have numerous claimants from all sections of the society. They have been off and on virtually hijacked by different political outfits. Till 1947, all Kashmiris had the right to claim them but subsequently the people that had left their mission incomplete had forfeited the right to own them. However, the Governments which ruled Kashmir since 1947 have been officially celebrating the day of their martyrdom as a State holiday. In fact, in earlier times the celebrations were on a grand scale. There used to be large processions from all corners culminating at the Mazar-i-Shuhada. The state celebrations have now come down to a very low key affair and only some members of the ruling elite pay their homage. Interestingly, some political leaders from Jammu have asked the government to cease the official celebration of this day. Here, it may be pointed out that these martyrs had risen in revolt against the Maharaja who is supposed to have signed the document of accession of the State of Jammu & Kashmir to the Union of India. In fact, it was this agitation in 1931 which had culminated into Quit Kashmir Movement of 1946 against the Maharaja. There is a contradiction in the celebration of this day by the mainstream parties especially the ruling ones as they left the mission of these martyrs half-way. How can they honour the persons who had risen against the Maharaja because of whose subsequent actions they are now enjoying the power? However, the mission of the martyrs has not been given up by the common Kashmiris. The proofs of the continuation of their mission are the hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris who sacrificed their lives during last 78 years for achieving the goal of total emancipation. The number has gone up from 21 to thousands upon thousands. It is still increasing with every passing day. The action of the authorities in preventing paying of homage cannot suppress the aspirations of the people. It has rather increased their alienation from India. The resort to such draconian measures clearly shows that the authorities have failed to change the minds of the people. All revolutions start in the minds. The authorities are scared of the popular upsurge.

Notwithstanding the siege of July 13, people can still pay homage to these martyrs and others throughout the year at their known places of burial. The turmoil of the last two decades has given rise to Mazar-i-Shuhada in every nook and corner of the State. However, there are also thousands of Kashmiris who are buried in unknown graves in many areas of the State including in the vicinity of the line of control. There is an obligation on the people to pay homage and remember these unknown martyrs. The ideal way would be for the people to renew the pledge to carry their mission forward. There is no need to take out processions or indulge in violence. The martyrs have sacrificed their lives for upholding the truth which has become the main casualty in the present day Kashmir. If all of us pledge to speak the truth and stand by it regardless of the consequences, we would be paying homage to their memory and taking their mission forward!

It is a pity that the authorities both in Delhi and Srinagar are running away from facing the realities of the ground situation in Kashmir. The recent massive upheavals sparked by various incidents in different parts of valley clearly demonstrate the gravity of the situation. All is not well in Kashmir notwithstanding the concerted campaign of the Indian Media in collaboration with the Government to keep the majority of Indians in total darkness about the ground situation. No doubt there are certain brave journalists of some national papers and agencies who have been projecting the truth at a great personal risk, yet the true picture does not percolate to the common masses. Disproportionate use of force cannot solve the problem which is basically political in nature. Instead of hijacking the martyrs for temporary gains, it would be advisable for all concerned to face the reality and take immediate steps for resolution of the basic conflict. Management of conflict through the machinery of law and order will not solve the problem. It rather postpones the eruption which is bound to occur sooner than later if not attended to at once. Even the Union Home Minister has been astute enough to say it publicly that the solution of problems in Kashmir needs political engagement!