PDP’s Fierce Showdown: Iltija Mufti Leads Protest Against BJP Leader’s Remarks on 1931 Martyrs
Srinagar, 06-03-2025: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staged a protest march in Srinagar on Thursday, demanding an apology from the Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma, over his remarks on the 1931 “martyrs.” The party accused Sharma of disrespecting those who sacrificed their lives in the uprising against the then Dogra ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh.
Led by PDP leader Iltija Mufti, the protest began from the party headquarters and moved toward Lal Chowk City Centre. However, the march was stopped by the police near Polo View. Carrying placards that read, “Martyrs of July 13, 1931, are our heroes” and “July 13, 1931, sacrifices will never die,” the protesters raised slogans against Sharma and the BJP, asserting that the historic event was a turning point in the region’s struggle against autocratic rule.
Speaking to reporters, Iltija Mufti emphasized that the PDP would not tolerate any attempts to undermine the legacy of the 1931 martyrs. “These brave individuals laid down their lives to end tyranny and pave the way for democracy. We will not allow anyone to erase our collective memory,” she said. She reiterated that the BJP was trying to alter history and vowed that her party would resist such efforts.
The PDP leader also urged other political parties to support a resolution put forward by PDP MLA Waheed Para, seeking the restoration of public holidays on July 13, in honor of the 1931 martyrs, and December 5, the birth anniversary of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. She criticized the scrapping of these holidays after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, calling it an attempt to erase the region’s historical and political identity.
The controversy erupted after Sunil Sharma dismissed the significance of July 13, 1931, in the Assembly, referring to it as “a traitors’ day” rather than a martyrs’ day. His remarks came in response to Para’s demand for the reinstatement of the holiday. Following outrage from opposition parties, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather expunged Sharma’s remarks from the Assembly records.
On July 13, 1931, more than 20 protesters were killed by the Dogra army during an uprising against Maharaja Hari Singh. For decades, this day was observed as a state holiday, with official tributes paid by successive governments at the martyrs’ graveyard in Nowhatta. However, the holiday was revoked after Article 370’s abrogation, and official commemorations were discontinued.
The BJP has firmly opposed any attempts to reinstate the holiday, arguing that those who rebelled against Maharaja Hari Singh cannot be considered martyrs. “For them, it is ‘martyrs’ day,’ but for us, it is ‘traitors’ day,’ and it will never be recognized in Jammu and Kashmir again,” Sharma asserted on Wednesday.
