Sameer Ul Haq
July 13, 1931 has a landmark importance in the history of Kashmir. On this fateful day around twenty two Kashmiri Muslims fell prey to the bullets of Dogra forces outside the Central Jail in Srinagar. Therefore from that incident, this day is being observed as Martyr’s Day (Youme Shuhada-e-Kashmir) in both parts of Kashmir. Some scholars are of the belief that the bullets fired by the Dogra forces not only pierced in the bodies of unarmed Kashmiri Muslims, but also sowed the seeds of strong resistance against the autocratic Dogra regime. Logically speaking, it was an open confrontation against the system of tyranny and subjugation. Thus the developments of 1931 in Kashmir are noteworthy in the sense that they have substantial bearing on the future political developments and many a similarity with the later uprisings of 1947 and 1990, when Kashmir dispute attained the new heights.
This day is considered to be the turning point in the Kashmiri’s history because of the fact it marks the fearless defiance of a Kashmiri against the tyrannical regime. This uprising was born at a time when majority of Muslims in the valley were deprived of various economic and educational opportunities. It is pertinent to mention that it was Abdul Qadeer Khan (who for some was a Kashmiri and for others was from Peshawar) ignited among the people the sense of Dogra oppression and made them to ponder over the Dogra atrocities. However, there were some other factors as well which contributed the public uprising such as the long running begar system, high taxation, curbs on political freedom, communal attitude of Dogra officials, desecration of Holy Quran and to refrain the Imam in Jammu from delivering the Eid sermon.
Abdul Qadeer while addressing the gathering reminded the people that the time has come when we all have to act because these so called petitions and memorandums are going to serve no purpose. He pointed towards the Palace of Hari Singh and hinted to raise it to the ground. His speech against the Hari Singh’s administration evoked much anger among the Dogra intelligentsia and on grounds of treason he was arrested and put behind the bars.
On the 13th day of July, the trail of Abdul Qadeer took place at the Central Jail of Srinagar. The Dogra frustration was such that no one was allowed to enter the jail without the permission of the authorities. As the court proceedings began, thousands of Kashmiri Muslims gathered outside the court, raised the slogans in favour of Abdul Qadeer and against the autocratic regime. The people tried to enter the court premises where hearing of the case was going on. Governor Raizada Trilok Chand appeared on the scene and ordered the mass arrests. These arrests enraged the people in general which compelled them to hurl stones at Dogra forces. In response to the stone pelting the Dogra forces aimed their guns on unarmed Kashmiri Muslims and opened indiscriminate fire at them. Resultantly around twenty two Kashmiri Muslims were killed and hundred others injured. These martyrs were laid to rest in the premises of the revered shrine of Hazrat Khawaja Naqashband Sahab at Khawajabazar in downtown Srinagar.
Alhamdulillah the foundation of Tahreeki Hurriyat was set by the blood of martyr’s. It was this first sacrifice of blood that made Tahreeki Hurriyat so colourful, while acted as a blemish on the face of the dogra government and self-governod people forever. The interior of Jamia Masjid Nowhatta was jam packed and with men and women, young and old . The sighs and cries in pain and agony made even the skies mourn in gloom .The helpless women and downtrodden old were looking in the skies imagining Godship in hope and shedding tears to seek justice for the oppression perpetrated by those in power .The incessant sighs and melancholy slithered the cloudscape and was reaching the Allah’s existence, Allah’s wrath was sought towards the brutality and barbarity of the cruel Dogras (Ch. Gulam Abaas -Kashmekash)
Eighty eight years down the lime the legacy of these martyrs are still afresh in our minds and thoughts. Their struggle against the oppression is a testimonial to the fact that Kashmiris had not accepted the foreign occupation at any point of history. Since then this day is commemorated as the martyr’s day in Kashmir. Irony is this that the Dogra occupation ended with the Indian occupation which had costed tens of thousands of lives till date.
The author did his Masters in History from University Of Kashmir. He can be reached at Sameerdar825@gmail.com
