Srinagar, July 12 : Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) President and former Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen on Sunday paid rich tributes to the martyrs of July 13, 1931, describing their sacrifice as a historic struggle against injustice, oppression and arbitrary rule.
In a statement issued here, Hakeem Yaseen said the July 13 martyrs resisted cruelty and exploitation in the same spirit in which Indians fought against British colonial rule for independence.
“Their martyrdom was an expression of the people’s resistance against injustice, illegal taxes and oppressive policies. Their sacrifice will always be remembered in the history of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The PDF President said the martyrs fought for the dignity, rights and a brighter future of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that their struggle played a significant role in shaping the political consciousness of the region and contributed to the developments that eventually led to the 1947 accession with the Government of India.
“The July 13 martyrs were neither against any country nor against any sect. Their struggle was for justice, dignity and the welfare of the people,”Hakeem Yaseen said.
He appealed to the government to recognize the historical importance of the day and restore the July 13 public holiday, which had been observed in Jammu and Kashmir since 1947.
Hakeem Yaseen also urged the authorities to allow people to visit Mazar-e-Shuhada to pay tributes to the martyrs in a peaceful manner.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are peaceful, patriotic and law-abiding. They respect the nation while also seeking the restoration and protection of their legitimate rights,”he said.
The PDF President reiterated that commemorating the July 13 martyrs was not directed against the Constitution or any community, but was an acknowledgement of a historic struggle for justice and democratic rights.(KNS)
