Jammu, July 13: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) today paid glowing tributes to the valiant martyrs of July 13, 1931, in a solemn function held at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan, Jammu.
The event was chaired by Rattan Lal Gupta Provincial President Jammu and witnessed the participation of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Ajay Sadhotra, Additional General Secretary JKNC and former Minister, Babu Rampaul former minister and Central Zone President and Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Provincial Secretary Jammu and a large number of party workers who gathered to remember the supreme sacrifices made in the struggle for justice and democracy.
At the beginning of the programme, the senior NC leaders strongly condemned the undemocratic move of the LG‑led administration for forcibly place the democratically elected government’s leadership in Kashmir Valley under house arrest. They denounced this as a blatant and arbitrary infringement on fundamental rights. They asserted that the LG Administration is intentionally disrupting the peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir, warning that detaining people's representatives not only stifles democracy but also deepens alienation among citizens—an act that undermines both stability and trust in governance.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said that July 13 marks a pivotal moment in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, symbolizing the people's collective yearning for democracy, social justice, and equality. “The martyrs of 1931 were not fighting against any religion or community. They were demanding their basic rights and dignity,” he asserted .
He further stated, “If they admire Nathuram Godse, who killed Mahatma Gandhi, then what's wrong in remembering the martyrs of July 13 who sacrificed their lives for the rights of the people?”
Surinder Choudhary also highlighted that Maharaja Hari Singh had convened an official inquiry—the Glancy Commission—into the killings, which underscores that those who fell were not criminals but victims of oppression and injustice.
The Deputy Chief Minister strongly criticized the BJP for attempting to distort history and target the July 13 martyrs. He said: “Instead of launching divisive campaigns, BJP should explain its silence on the deteriorating condition of the J&K's hotel industry, transport sector, industrial sector and other burning public issues in Jammu and Kashmir."
Remembering martyrs, the former minister and Additional General Secretary Ajay Sadhotra said that the best way of paying tributes to them was to strengthen democracy and secularism in Jammu andKashmir, which showed the shining example of pluralistic ethos during the most testing times of the history.
Rattan Lal Gupta in his address, said that 1931 was the turning point for Sheikh Abdullah in his political history.
“That was the time when the people galvanized around Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah who stood like a rock for Hindu, Muslim and Sikh unity. July 13,
1931 was a crucial moment in the life of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Abdullah as well as for the people of J&K State, symbolizing a shift from passivity to action. The day represented a struggle between the op-pressed and the oppressors, a fight for freedom.
On this day, the dying martyrs had expressed to Sher e-Kashmir that they had fulfilled their duty and it was now his responsibility to move forward,” he said, adding that this cherished slogan of the towering leader has been the guiding force for National Conference which it has been pursuing with a sense of commitment.
Babu Rampaul, former minister and Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Provincial Secretary asserted that National Conference under the stewardship of Dr Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, is relentlessly fighting for the restoration of the fundamental rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The party firmly believes in upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that every citizen enjoys the freedoms and liberties enshrined in the Constitution, they said.
Two minutes silence was observed in memory of the Marty’s of 1931.
Among those who were present included Bimla Luthra former MLA, Pardeep Bali, Ayub Malik Provincial Secretaries Jammu,Vijay Lochan Chairman SC Cell, Abdul Gani Teli Chairman OBC, S. Tejinder Singh Provincial President Jammu YNC, Rakesh Singh Raka Vice President Central Zone, Chander Mohan Sharma District President Jammu Urban, Abid Magrey District President Ramban, Harshvardhan Singh President NCSU, Rita Gupta, Dilshad Malik Vice Presidents Central Zone, Master Aslam Secretary Central Zone, Waris Gill,S. Gurnam Singh Block President Jammu West, Ashwani Charak Block President Jammu, East, Pinky Khalsa District President Jammu Urban Women Wing, Ramesh Kumar District President Jammu Urban SC cell, Akash Kharka,Sapna Gill Block President Jammu East Women Wing, Jatin Bhat, Veer Ji Bhat, Zamir Quershi, Ch. Razak, Robin Kumar, Gorav Bhagat, Deep Mehra, Sahil Chib, Pooja Jaggi, Mohsim,Devi Dyal Jogi, S. Pirthpal Singh, Raja Naveed, Amit Sharma and others.
