Martyrs’ Day divides state on regional lines Sumit Hakhoo Tribune correspondent Jammu, July 12 Observing Martyrs’ Day on July 13 in the state is a topic of discussion in Jammu and Ladakh regions. The day is observed to pay tributes to 22 protesters killed by soldiers of erstwhile Dogra rulers in Srinagar in 1931. For decades now, the day, except laying of wreath at the martyrs’ graveyard in Srinagar, is not given much importance in other regions of the state. Even in Kashmir, views remain divided. Historians in the Valley consider it the first mass awakening against the autocratic rule of Dogra rulers, while Kashmiri Pandits have been observing it as black day to remember victims of communal riots which took place after the killing of the protesters about eight decades ago. Any debate on the event clearly divides people of the state on the basis of religion, region and ideology with many considering it a day marking the formation of Kashmiri political identity and not political identity of other regions of the state. “The incident shaped the identity of Kashmir, while it is looked into with a different frame in Jammu and Ladakh regions. State’s identity is yet to be made and politics is still divergent on various historical events,” said Prof Rekha Choudhary, former head, Department of Political Science, Jammu University. The incident revolves around Abdul Qadeer, a cook with a British officer who delivered a fiery speech against Maharaja Hari Singh. Qadeer was subsequently arrested and put to trial for sedition but in view of his popularity, his trial was shifted to the Srinagar Central Jail. A gathering near the jail was fired upon by soldiers after a mob tried to enter the jail to free inmates. Historian Hari Om said, “It was an anti-state movement and security forces acted to prevent people from entering the central jail. Later, Khatri traders of Maharajgunj were looted, shops from Bohrikadal to Alikadal were burnt and several Kashmiri Pandits were attacked.” Prof Om said many people leading the protests later became part of the Muslim Conference (now National Conference) formed by late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah in 1932. Former Ladakh MP Thupstan Chewang said, “For common man in the region, it is just an official holiday and does not hold much importance. We are still facing discrimination and denial of political rights even after six decades of Independence”. Panun Kashmir (PK), an organisation of displaced Kashmiri Hindus, organises protests and seminars every year. “There were riots at Vicharnag, Maharajganj, Amirakadal, Kanikoot and several other places. Since 1932, the community has been observing July 13 as black day. There is a need to study correct history surrounding the event,” said PK president Ashwani Chrungoo. Former Union minister and MLA Chaman Lal Gupta said July 13 could not be a national day as the unrest was engineered by agents of British imperialists. “They wanted to teach a lesson to Maharaja Hari Singh for supporting the cause of Indian Independence at the Round Table Conference of princes and nawabs held in London in 1930,” Gupta said. However, there may be divergent views on historical events in the state prior to 1947, but the July 13 incident shook the very foundation of the Dogra rule since 1846 when Maharaja Gulab Singh purchased Kashmir from British Empire after the fall of Sikh kingdom in a series of Anglo-Sikh wars
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 05:40:39 +0000
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