Chief Minister Omar Abdullah squeezed his way through the security force personnel to reach the martyrs' graveyard in Srinagar to pay his last respects to the 22 people who died fighting the feudal rule of Dogras on July 13 in 1931.
At his office at Nawa-i-Subah complex in Srinagar, the NC leaders discussed how the CM made it to the place, how a Minister rode a scooter to reach the gravesite. The CM climbed the iron fence to jump down and pay his respects to the people, whose death saw the formation of the party he represents as vice president, which was named the Muslim Conference before it got christened as the National Conference.
These pictures are rare in Kashmir for these leaders, who remain under police protective cover due to the militant threats. Pictures went viral of Education Minister, Sakeena Itoo, riding a scooter to reach the venue. Her father, Wali Mohammad, who was an Assembly Speaker, was gunned down by militants, forcing her to take the plunge in the electoral process after dropping out of her undergraduate medical degree.
Omar looked visibly angry while paying the tributes after he was earlier placed under detention after he reached Srinagar yesterday from his official trip to New Delhi. A heavy contingent of police and other security force personnel were deployed in heavy numbers outside his Gupkar residence to bar him from paying tribute to those who protested against the Dogra rule. Police on Sunday also restricted the movement of the public to the venue.
Several leaders in the National Conference said that nothing has changed for the party since it rose to power after the 2024 elections. Party leaders have openly said that the dual control mechanism in Jammu and Kashmir, with LG enjoying more powers than even the elected CM, was affecting governance and as they were not able to fully “ fulfil promises made to people.”
NC spokesperson, Imran Nabi Dar, said that the action against the CM was uncalled for. “ We came into existence because of these martyrs. If they had not started a fight against the regime, which was very oppressive, then we would probably not have been in such a situation where we could have made our own destiny. Today, there were no restrictions and he (CM) went there to pay tributes to the fallen heroes.” “It was bizarre that Omar sahib was stopped and was physically manhandled by some officers, which is visible from the videos that are there right now.”
The incident has drawn condemnation from several political leaders from across the country.
"We condemn the shocking and shameful actions against Jammu and Kashmir's elected Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, and MLAs under Central Government orders to prevent homage to the 1931 martyrs. Scores were killed on July 13, 1931, in their struggle against the rule of the then Maharaja. This contempt for an elected government by the Central Government and its representatives is unacceptable. Restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Respect the people's verdict," said the Communist Party of India (Marxist) after the incident.
MK Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, said that the Union government was systematically stripping away the rights of elected state governments.
"At a time when there is a growing demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, the current events unfolding there are a grim reminder of how far things have deteriorated. The elected CM is being placed under house arrest simply for wanting to pay homage to the 1931 martyrs and is forced to climb walls to do so. Is this how an elected chief minister should be treated? This is not just about one state or one leader. From Tamil Nadu to Kashmir, the Union BJP Government is systematically stripping away the rights of elected state governments. If this can happen in Kashmir, it can happen anywhere, to any elected representative of the people. Every democratic voice must unequivocally condemn this", said Stalin in a social media post.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the incident as shocking and shameful.
"What is wrong with visiting the graveyard of martyrs? This is not only unfortunate, but it also snatches the democratic right of a citizen. What happened this morning to an elected Chief Minister is unacceptable, shocking, and shameful."
The NC said that despite the restrictions, former chief minister and NC president, Farooq Abdullah, Vice President and CM Omar Abdullah, and senior leaders visited the martyrs' graveyard to pay tributes there.
“They offered prayers and tributes, condemning the curbs as undemocratic,” the NC said.
