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| Glaring Contradiction Jammu, Ladakh ignore "Martyrs' Day" | | | Rustam
JAMMU, July 14: General strike in Kashmir paralyzed life across Kashmir Valley on the "Martyrs' Day". The call for strike was given by separatist outfits. All the Kashmir-based "mainstream" religio-political organizations remembered the "martyrs" (read rebels and anti-Dogra elements) of 1931 and urged common people to remember them and draw inspiration from the "sacrifice" the 22 rebels made on July 13, 1931 for the "dignity and honour" of Kashmiri Muslims. The separatists, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah, Nayeem Khan, Bilal Lone, to mention only a few, also wanted to pay floral tributes to the slain rebels at the "Martyrs' graveyard", but most of them could not venture out of their houses because the state government did not want them to visit the "Martyrs' graveyard". They were put under "house arrest". Hence, the separatists observed the "Martyrs' Day" in their own way. One doesn't really know if the separatists were put under house arrest as per an understanding with the ruling class. This is one side of the story of the "Martyrs' Day" and it speaks for itself.
The other side of the story is very interesting and meaningful. It is a story of the attitude of the people of Jammu Pradesh and cold-desert Ladakh towards the "Martyrs' Day". The people of Jammu Pradesh boycotted the "Martyrs' Day", leave alone a few NC workers who gathered at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan, Residency Road, Jammu, to "pay floral tributes to the martyrs of 1931". They did so because they had to express solidarity with their Kashmiri masters. After all, they have to enjoy official patronage and promote their vested interests.
It was not for the first time that the people of Jammu Pradesh did not observe July 13 as "Martyrs' Day". They have been doing so since years because they believe, and very rightly, that the "Martyrs' Day" is nothing but a day of Jammu and Dogra-bashing. They respect the Dogra Maharajas from the core of their heart. What, however, very significant this time was that Congress ministers, barring one who hails from Kashmir and whose Education portfolio was snatched by Chief Minister, kept aloof from the activities organized on the day. Last year, a Jammu-based Congress ministers had gone to the "Martyrs' graveyard" to pay their tributes.
The scene in Ladakh was no different. For the people of Ladakh, Buddhists and Shiite Muslims included, the "Martyrs' Day" was a non-event. Like the people of Jammu Pradesh, people of Ladakh have hatred for those who have been fighting against the Indian State. Similarly, like the people of Jammu Pradesh, the people of Ladakh have been demanding reorganization of the state. Their demand is Union Territory status and abrogation of Article 370. They, like the people of Jammu Pradesh, have repeatedly said that there is nothing that is common between them and the people of Kashmir.
As for the internally-displaced Kashmiri Hindus, they observed the day as a "Black Day". They organized protest demonstrations, held corner meetings, wore black badges and switched off lights in their houses for one hour as a mark of protest in the evening. They said, "On this day, the KP community was subjected to loot, arson, murder and mayhem on a large scale. The observance of July 13 as the so-called Martyrs' Day is tantamount to rubbing salt on the festering wounds of the minority Hindu community of Kashmir". "July 13 in 1931 was a signal to minorities in Kashmir to leave Valley. Under a conspiracy, a non-state subject Muslim (Abdul Qadir) instigated the people against the minorities," they also said and questioned the very observance of July 13 as "Martyrs' Day". Some of them said, "The events preceding the communal riots on July 13, 1931 and the events that occurred on the Black Day itself 81 years ago were communal in character and directed against Maharaja (Hari Singh) for not for his being a dictator but for being a Hindu. Rioters too targeted the Hindus, their houses and business".
What does all this show? It shows that only a section of Kashmiri society observes July 13 as "Martyrs' Day". It is a contradiction of sorts. New Delhi and Indian media need to take cognizance of this glaring contradiction in the attitude of the people towards what happened in Srinagar 81 years ago in front of Central Jail and in other parts of Srinagar city. It is a must if New Delhi has to devise a scheme aimed at addressing concerns of various sections of society. |
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