Srinagar: National Conference patron and Member Parliament Dr Farooq Abdullah and State Congress chief G A Mir on Thursday paid tributes to the martyrs of 1931, who laid down their lives fighting the autocratic rule in Jammu and Kashmir.
On the occasion, Abdullah hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), an ally in the PDP-led government, for staying away from the function to pay homage to the martyrs.
Responding to a question, the National Conference President said that the July 13, 1931 massacre was carried out in Dogra Raj.
“Dograj Raj had carried out this [massacre], how they [BJP legislators] can come [here to pay homage]?” asked Abdullah.
“Their vote-bank lies there. It is obvious they wouldn’t accompany them [ally PDP],” said Abdullah, while referring to Jammu areas where Dogras predominantly live.
He said that the coalition partners have come together “just for chair”.
BJP has skipped the official function for the third consecutive year. The party maintains that it doesn’t believe in such events.
On July 13, 1931, 22 people were killed in firing by the forces of Maharaja Hari Singh outside the Srinagar Central Jail, where an in-camera trial of Abdul Qadeer, a freedom fighter, was being held.
The crowd was protesting in central jail against the detention of Qadeer when the forces of Maharaja opened fire. (CNS)
