Srinagar : Several political leaders cutting across party lines on Wednesday have paid glowing tributes to July 13 Martyrs.
As per a statement issued here on Wednesday the President J&K Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari while paying rich tributes to the martyrs reiterated that “the party is committed to fighting for the political and economic empowerment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.” Bukhari was addressing a meeting at the party’s central office in Srinagar on Wednesday.
While addressing the meeting, Bukhari paid glorious tributes to the martyrs of 1931 on their 91st anniversary and said “This day reminds us of the sacrifices of our ancestors who laid their lives while fighting the autocracy. They fought the rulers because they did not want to live like slaves on their own land. We can never forget the sacrifices of these martyrs. This day is the most significant day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.” He added, “Apni Party upholds the mission of these martyrs even today in terms of our fight for the restoration of democracy and democratic institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.” The Apni Party leader urged the Union Government to restore statehood to
J&K as soon as possible. He further said, “The restoration of statehood to J&K is of utmost importance because returning the statehood would pave the way for
the restoration of all other democratic rights to the people of J&K.” He added “the Apni Party will continue its endeavor to protect the rights of
the people and we will not leave any stone unturned to ensure political and
economic empowerment of the J&K people.”
Peoples’ Conference while paying tributes to the martyrs of 13th July 1931 pledged to carry forward their sacred struggle for “empowering the traditionally disempowered Kashmiris” and make them the master of their own destiny. “The movement against the monarchy was started and led by the people of Kashmir, who immortalised their courageous fight by rendering the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. Their valiant struggle in 1931 was for change and for the empowerment and dignity of Kashmiris. The dream of change that Peoples’ Conference stands committed to is inspired from the spirit of change that was nurtured and sown by the martyrs in 1931″, the statement said. The leaders further stated that “the sacrifices of martyrs of 13th July would continue to inspire people of J&K to fight for their democratic rights, dignity and justice.” “The people of J&K will always remember and respect the sacrifices of the martyrs of 1931. Their valiant struggle will guide future generations to fight for their genuine, legitimate rights and for the empowerment of the people of J&K”, the statement added.
Chairman J&K People’s Democratic Front (J&K PDF) and former minister Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen while paying tributes to the 13th July martyrs has cautioned people about the “machinations of vested interests” adding that political party should not exploit sacrifices of the martyrs of 13th July 1931 for their petty gains. He said “the martyrs have laid their lives for freedom of expression and against the oppression and tyranny.” PDF Chairman said that being part of the largest democracies of the world, J&K Government should have allowed every desirous political and social organization to visit the Mazar-e-Shuhada to pay homage to the martyrs adding that denial of permission to visit Mazar-e- shuhada was undemocratic
