Srinagar: In a rare and symbolic gesture, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah scaled the locked gates of the Martyrs’ Graveyard at Naqshband Sahib in Srinagar on Saturday to pay tribute to the July 13 martyrs, after being denied formal access by authorities.
Accompanied by party workers and leaders, the National Conference (NC) Vice President chose to climb over the closed gate of the historic graveyard after being stopped from entering through the main entrance. Undeterred, Omar personally laid floral tributes at the graves of the 22 Kashmiris who were killed by Dogra forces in 1931 while protesting autocratic rule—an event etched in Kashmir’s political memory as a milestone in the region’s struggle against oppression.
Speaking to reporters at the site, Omar expressed dismay over being prevented from officially commemorating the day. “We were not allowed to enter through the gate, so I had to climb over the wall. That’s how far the administration has gone to suppress our democratic expression and erase our history,” he remarked.
The former Chief Minister accused the Jammu and Kashmir administration of deliberately attempting to downplay the significance of Martyrs’ Day, which until August 2019 was observed as a public holiday. “The BJP-led dispensation is trying to rewrite history and erase the memories of those who laid down their lives for Kashmir’s dignity and rights,” he said.
Omar Abdullah’s daring act of defiance was widely shared on social media, with videos and images showing him scaling the graveyard wall going viral, drawing sharp reactions from political circles and civil society.
National Conference leaders have long criticised the removal of July 13 from the official list of holidays post the abrogation of Article 370, calling it a move to undermine Kashmir’s unique historical and political identity.
Despite the barricades and administrative restrictions, National Conference leaders said the spirit of Martyrs’ Day lives on and cannot be silenced by locks or walls.
“Paying homage to our heroes is not just a ritual—it is a reminder of our collective struggle and sacrifices,” Omar said, vowing to continue honouring the martyrs regardless of governmental roadblocks.
