On July 13, 2025, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah likened the "13th July massacre" to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, stating that the sacrifices made on that day should not be forgotten. This comparison was made amidst restrictions imposed by the Union Territory administration in several parts of Srinagar, preventing political parties from visiting the Martyrs' Graveyard to commemorate the killing of Kashmiris by Dogra forces in 1931.
The events of July 13, 1931, mark a significant day in Kashmiri history. On this day, thousands of Kashmiris gathered outside the Srinagar Central Jail to witness the trial of Abdul Qadeer, who was charged with treason for speaking out against atrocities against Kashmiris. As the time for Zuhr prayer approached, a Kashmiri stood up to deliver the Adhan (call to prayer). The Dogra governor ordered his soldiers to open fire, resulting in the deaths of 22 Kashmiris. This incident triggered widespread protests against the Maharaja Hari Singh's government.
The killings led to a week-long period of mourning and halted traffic between Srinagar, Rawalpindi, and Jammu. The bodies of those killed were buried in the Martyrs' Graveyard, which has since become a symbol of Kashmiri resistance.
In response to the restrictions imposed on the 2025 commemoration, Omar Abdullah strongly condemned the administration and the house arrests of several ministers and leaders. He emphasized that those who lost their lives on July 13, 1931, did so in opposition to British rule, as Kashmir was then under British paramountcy. Abdullah voiced his dismay that these "true heroes" are now portrayed as villains simply because they were Muslims.
Other political leaders also expressed their discontent with the restrictions. Mehbooba Mufti, a PDP leader and former Chief Minister, stated that true reconciliation would only occur when "our heroes" are accepted, just as Kashmiris have embraced Indian heroes. Sajad Lone, an MLA and chief of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference, said he had been placed under house arrest and questioned the government's attempt to redefine what is sacred to the people of Kashmir.
The comparison of the July 13, 1931, incident to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, where hundreds of unarmed Indians were killed by British troops in 1919, highlights the sense of injustice and oppression felt by many Kashmiris. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized Omar Abdullah's comparison, calling it historically inaccurate and an insult to the martyrs of India's freedom struggle. The BJP argued that the events of July 13, 1931, were a violent communal attack incited by politically motivated conspiracy against the Maharaja, not a peaceful protest.
Despite differing opinions on the historical context, the events of July 13, 1931, remain a significant part of Kashmir's collective memory. While the official holiday commemorating the day has been removed, many Kashmiris continue to honor the memory of those who lost their lives.
