Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday asserted that the July 13 martyrs had fought for democracy and against British and princely rule, condemning the authorities' decision to prevent National Conference leaders from visiting the Martyrs' Graveyard and saying the restrictions could not erase their legacy.Describing the restrictions as "deeply unfortunate", Abdullah said those who laid down their lives on July 13 had sacrificed themselves in the struggle against oppression and for democratic rights.
"Those who sacrificed their lives on July 13 fought against British rule, princely rule and for democracy. Today we are not being allowed to pay tribute to their sacrifice."
Abdullah said those who ordered the closure of the Martyrs' Graveyard had ignored the historical context of Jammu and Kashmir."If those who took the decision to close the Martyrs' Graveyard had spent even two minutes reading the history of Jammu and Kashmir, they would have understood that by doing so they have ignored the sacrifices of all those who laid down their lives fighting against the British before Independence."
He said Jammu and Kashmir had been a princely state under British paramountcy, adding that the Maharaja had accepted British authority. Pointing to the former British Resident's buildings in Srinagar and Jammu and the existence of Residency Road in both cities, Abdullah said these were reminders of the British presence in the erstwhile state.
The Chief Minister rejected attempts to portray the July 13 movement through a religious lens. "This fight is being measured only in terms of religion. The sacrifices of these martyrs are being ignored only because they were Muslims and the Maharaja was not. But this was not a religious struggle. It was a struggle of principles. It was a struggle for democracy. Above all, it was a struggle for freedom against the British."
Abdullah said political dispensations may change, but the memory of the martyrs would endure. "Those who have not allowed us to visit the Martyrs' Graveyard today are here only for a few days. They are here today; tomorrow they will not be. But these martyrs' graves were here, they are here, and they will remain here. Today or tomorrow, we will go there again, lay flowers and offer prayers for the martyrs."
Responding to a question on whether the restrictions had embarrassed the National Conference, Abdullah said the curbs instead undermined official claims that normalcy had returned to Jammu and Kashmir.
"We were not discredited by this. This discredits the people who take this decision. It actually calls into question all the claims that are being made about normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir."
Referring to security arrangements for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, he said the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway itself reflected the prevailing security situation. "I don't remember a time when, to conduct the Amarnath Yatra, we had to close the National Highway. But this year the National Highway is closed so that yatris can travel safely. What does that tell you about the security situation?"
He said only a small number of people had intended to visit the Martyrs' Graveyard. "We don't go there in lakhs, perhaps not even in thousands. I would say not more than 150 people would have gone there had we been allowed. If they feel threatened even by 150 people visiting the graveyard, that discredits them, not us."
Calls BJP notice a 'love letter'
Responding to questions on the BJP's legal notice over his recent allegations of attempts to poach MLAs, Abdullah clarified that he had not received any court summons.
"I have received a letter from a lawyer, not a physical copy. I have received an electronic copy of the letter."