Mehbooba Mufti Urges PDP MLAs to Ensure Resolution for July 13 Martyrs’ Day Passes in Assembly

PDP Calls for Restoring Historical Recognition Amid Political Shifts

Jammu, March 2: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has urged her party’s legislators to ensure that a resolution seeking a public holiday in memory of the July 13 martyrs is passed as a priority during the upcoming budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

The PDP’s push comes amid ongoing political debates over the historical significance of July 13, which was previously observed as a public holiday in Jammu and Kashmir to honor 22 men who were killed by the forces of the then-Dogra Maharaja outside Srinagar Central Jail in 1931. The holiday, which symbolized the beginning of Kashmir’s political awakening, was revoked by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration following the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of J&K into a Union Territory in 2019.

According to PDP insiders, Mehbooba Mufti has directed the party’s three MLAs to mobilize support within the Assembly to reinstate the holiday, arguing that the day represents the Kashmiris’ long-standing struggle for democratic rights and self-determination. However, it remains unclear whether any PDP legislator has formally submitted the resolution to the Assembly Secretariat ahead of the session, set to begin on Monday.

A senior PDP leader emphasized the party’s stance, stating, “July 13 is not just a date in history; it marks the genesis of a democratic consciousness among the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The sacrifices of those martyrs laid the foundation for the political awakening that eventually led to constitutional and democratic aspirations.”

The PDP has strongly opposed the revocation of the July 13 holiday, interpreting it as part of what the party describes as a “larger effort to rewrite history and diminish symbols of resistance against autocratic rule.” The party believes that the erasure of this day from the official calendar is an attempt to suppress the collective memory of the people and downplay their historical struggles.

“The holiday was a tribute to those who resisted colonial oppression. Scrapping it reflects a deliberate attempt to alter the region’s political narrative,” said a PDP leader, adding that the move had sparked widespread resentment among the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The resolution, if officially moved and debated in the Assembly, is expected to trigger intense political discourse, particularly between the opposition and the BJP-led government. The PDP sees this as an opportunity to bring the issue of historical recognition and democratic struggles to the forefront of legislative discussions.

Sources within the party confirmed that, on Mehbooba’s directive, a PDP MLA has already submitted a resolution seeking the reinstatement of the July 13 holiday to set the record straight. “This is not just about a holiday; it is about preserving the history and sacrifices of those who fought against oppression. Restoring its recognition holds deep symbolic value for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the leader asserted.

As the Assembly session begins, all eyes will be on whether the resolution gains traction amid the political dynamics in the House. The PDP’s demand is likely to face resistance, but the party remains determined to ensure that the sacrifices of the July 13 martyrs are formally acknowledged once again.