1931, 13TH JULY Kashmir Martyrs Day (No lesson learned)

Kashmir Media Watch Exclusive
Srinagar: The most renowned day in the recent history of Kashmir has been the 13th of July. It is the Martyrs’ Day, an official holiday observed in memory of the 21 Kashmiris who laid their lives during an assault on the Srinagar Central Jail in 1931 by the Dogra Army. A large number of people had gathered outside the prison where a number of Kashmiri freedom fighters were detained and put on trial. These people were martyred by the Dogra Army. History of the day has been well written and documented and it is taken as the turning point in Kashmir’s freedom movement. This is seen as a first strong voice made by the nation of Kashmir against slavery and repression.But what is tragic is the politics made out of this historic day. Those very forces that have trampled the enlightened democratic concepts concepts under their feet are also seen paying floral tributes to these martyrs under a heavy security cover on this day. This is seen as a sheer hypocrisy on their part by almost every sane quarter.Kashmiri territory has been in dispute ever since the Partition between India and Pakistan in 1947. Since then, there has been civil and international unrest surrounding the issue. Kashmir has been home to human rights violations, and breeding ground for acts of violence. Since 1931, lot of blood has flown down the Jhelum. Hundreds of tragic events that have at times even surpassed the magnitude of 1931 massacre have taken place in this browbeaten land. Sopore Massacre, Gow Kadal Massacre, Bijbehra Massacre, Massacre of 60 odd youth in 2008 agitation ,massacre opf 119 youth in 2010 agitation are few of the evident examples of the chain of brutalities witnessed by this nation. Time has come when those to introspect who are raising the slogan of democracy or bragging to champion it day in and day out.Let people of Kashmir be given their democratic right to solve their conflict by the power of vote and let repression be replaced by logic and let brutality be replaced by dialogue.On this day majority of masses in kashmir would like to recall United States of America President Obama from his L’Aquila, Italy speech saying, “We don’t want stronger nations bullying weaker nations. On the other hand, where you have nations that are oppressing their people, isn’t there an international responsibility to intervene?”For the moment, the lessons from 1931 events and the continued brutality have not been learnt and the tsunami of emotions continues to flood in hearts and minds of people of Kashmir.