Nearly a century ago, 22 unarmed and peaceful Muslim protesters were gunned down by the armed forces of Hari Singh, the last ruler of the tyrannical Dogra dynasty, outside the Central Jail in the capital city of Srinagar. They had gathered there to hold vigil during the trial of their hero, Abdul Qadeer, who was being tried by Hari Singh’s kangaroo court. That historic massacre of July 13, 1931, came to be mourned and memorialised as Martyrs Day by Kashmiris everywhere. That event marked the beginning of the popular uprising against the tyrannical rule of the ruling dynasty under the protectorate of the British monarchy.
Unfortunately for Kashmiris, the tyranny would not end there, and in 194,7 Hari Singh’s rule would end, but not until he had surrendered to the invading Indian armed forces. Kashmiris lost their final opportunity to establish a free and democratic state of their own.
Kashmiris have continuously given immense sacrifices under post-independence India. Massacres after massacre have continued to take place under Indian occupation, ethnic cleansing and colonisation. Indian state under Modi’s Hindutva has abolished even the celebration of Martyrdom from the Kashmiri calendar since the annexation of Kashmir on August 5, 2019, but the people of Kashmir have vowed to resist, no matter the cost.
The world powers need to understand that the Kashmir issue cannot be wished away. It demands immediate attention to establish the process leading to a peaceful resolution. Kashmiri sacrifices – physical, mental and economic – cannot be erased from memory or history.
Freedom is not offered on a platter. The Martyrs’ Graveyard in Srinagar will always remind us of the sanctity of those who sacrificed for truth and justice, and for freedom.