Srinagar July 13:(KNS) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday paid glowing tributes to the July 13 martyrs, stating that their role in Jammu and Kashmir’s freedom struggle can neither be undone nor can be forgotten.
Party Chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti while paying tributes said that on Martyrs day gates leading to their graveyards have been locked up. Attempts to distort and rewrite Kashmir`s history is being done to create a sense of defeat and helplessness amongst Kashmiris.
“Nevertheless as we pay homage to the heroes of 13th July 1931 our resolve to strive for restoration of J&K’s dignity remains firm”, she said.
Meanwhile, the party organised a commemoration event to pay homage to the martyrs at the party headquarters in Srinagar. The event was attended and addressed by senior leaders of the party.
In a statement issued to KNS, Party spokesperson said that the memory of 13th July martyrs cannot be erased by stopping us from paying homage at the graveyard and offering Fateha Khwani as the brave hearts will live forever in the hearts and memories of every freedom loving democrat.
Speaking at the commemoration event party General Secretary G N Lone Hanjura said that PDP reiterates its commitment to the objectives of justice, empowerment and democratic rights that the martyrs have laid their lives down for.
“We will continue to struggle to resist demographic change, disempowerment, and oppression through democratic, constitutional and non violent means to rebuild the state in accordance with our traditions of tolerance, accommodation and amity,” he said.
Senior party Leader and former Minister Aasiya Naqash said that the martyrs laid down their lives for the empowerment of the people of J&K , for the cause of democracy, rejecting the suffocating religious, political and economic conditions imposed on the people.
“The call for Azaan of those brave hearts still reverberates in every nook and corner of the valley. This government should stop internalising its own propaganda and open its eyes to the reality and course correct its policies," she said.
Party Chief Spokesperson Suhail Bukhari said that while we are barred from even offering fateha to our martyrs, no amount of coercion can take them, their memory,their respect and their contribution out of our hearts.
"Attempts to rewrite our history by reworking official calenders cannot change our history. Our history and our heroes live in our hearts. Collective memory of a nation can't be erased. Though the incident happened in 1931 but the fact remains that even 2021 feels like 1931.Our martyrs inspire us in our struggle for our identity and rights, "Bukhari said.
“Our people have shown remarkable resilience and valiantly braved the brutal assaults on our identity and shared history. These assaults are directed to brand our thriving civilisation as an aberration bereft of history and drill a sense of helplessness into our psyche. We reiterate our firm resolve today to strive for the restoration of J&K's dignity. Democratic means will be our compass and restoration of constitutional positions our goal, “the statement further said.
Those who attended& addressed the commemoration event also included senior leader & former minister Naeem Akhter, State Secretaries Ab Hamid Kosheen, Gh Mohiuddin Wani, Party spokespersons Dr Harbaksh Singh, Najm us Saqib, District President Budgam Md Yaseen Bhat, former VC Haji Pervez, DDC Member Pulwama Abdul Qayoom Mir, Zonal Presidents of all assembly segments of Srinagar and leaders Rouf Bhat and Arif Laigaroo. (KNS)