Omar, Mufti, others visit ‘Mazaar-e-Shuhadaa’, pay tributes
Srinagar, July 13: (GNS) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today visited Mazaar-e-Shuhadaa at Naqashband Sahib here to pay tributes to the Martyrs of July 13. He laid flower wreaths over the graves and offered Fateh.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and some of his party leaders also visited the Shrine. On the occasion, Mufti flayed the government for imposing restrictions on the movement of people. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah laid a floral wreath on the graves of the martyrs as a 21-gun salute and guard of honor was presented in their memory.
Paying rich tributes to martyrs, Omar Abdullah said the sacrifice of martyrs to free the society from autocracy and lay edifice for democracy and human dignity is one of the richest chapters of the history of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The best way to pay homage to these martyrs is to help create equitable and palatable environment for everyone to grow and develop in a democratic atmosphere”, he added.
Chief Minister was accompanied by Speaker Legislative Assembly, Mubarak Gul, Ministers included Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Ch. Mohammad Ramzan, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Adviser to the Chief Minister, Qamar Ali Akhoon, Ministers of State, Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo, Ajaz Ahmad Khan and various other legislators. Director General Police (DGP), Ashok Prasad and various senior officers were also present on the occasion besides large number of general people.
Paying rich tributes to the martyrs of 1931 for their pioneering contribution to political emancipation of Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Saturday said it was an irony that the day marking a glorious milestone in the history of the state was observed under severe restrictions and total strike.
Talking to media persons at the martyrs’ graveyard in the shrine premises of Khwaja Naqshband sahib (RA), Mufti said this certainly must not have been the dream of those who offered the ultimate sacrifice for the liberation of the state from the feudal and autocratic rule.
PDP patron earlier laid wreaths on the graves of the martyrs. He was accompanied by senior party leaders, Tariq Hameed Qarra, Qazi Mohammad Afzal, district president Srinagar, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Nisar Ahmad Mandoo, Khursheed Aalam and Abdul Hameed Guroo.Showkat Goyoor Nazir Ahmad Yatoo and hundreds of party workers including Showkat Hafiz, Sheikh Firdous Ahmad also participated in the Fateh and commemoration services.
Mufti said it is brazen violation of democratic norms that political leaders had been imprisoned in their homes to prevent them from paying tributes to the martyrs. He said it was condemnable that the present government had almost completely suspended civil liberties and fundamental right to expression. “We can’t claim to be a democracy as long as we have to resort to draconian laws and illegal methods to suppress the voices that government of the day does not like or does not have the capacity to engage and address politically,” he said and added the government is unable to face any occasion without resorting to force and illegal restrictions. “Be it a Friday, Ramzan, Eid, a VIP visit or any other special occasion the insecure government resorts to imprisoning the entire population and arresting political leaders” Mufti said.
Stressing that full democratic space should be ensured to all political leaders subscribing to any political thought or ideology, Mufti said dictatorial methods adopted by the government would lead nowhere except complicating the problems and adding to mistrust, alienation and anger.
He said during the brief period of PDP-led coalition no prisoners were taken, no leaders were put under house arrest and there was no law and order problem, which is cited by the present government as reason for curtailing the freedom of its political opponents. “If we could run the state without resorting to PSA and other draconian methods, it is not understandable as to why the present govt is denying fundamental rights of expression and movement to political leaders of all kinds,” Mufti said.
In reply to a question about the controversy over the latest remarks of Narendra Modi, Mufti said the Gujarat chief minister can’t escape the responsibility for the massacre of 2002. He said the latest remarks of Modi only add insult to injury as they are grossly insensitive and indecent and would certainly offend a great majority of the people in the country. “Modi instead of trying to make amends for his performance during the riots could further polarize the situation through his insensitive remarks.”
The minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather also paid rich tributes to the martyrs of July, 13 1931, saying that the valiant heroes by offering sacrifice of their lives laid the edifice of a pluralistic, secular and welfare state. “Martyrdom was a fight and a strong resistance against suppression, autocracy and dictatorship,” he said and added that it is our collective responsibility to take the mission of martyrs to its logical end by rising above political considerations and individual ideologies to ensure welfare of the common masses. “Better way to pay homage to the martyrs is to nourish and uphold the principles of humanity, equality and co-existence, which are the hallmark of our centuries old rich traditions and ethos,” he said.
President Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and former Minister, Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen also visited the martyrs graveyard and paid homage to the martyrs of July 13, 1931.
Recalling supreme sacrifices offered by the martyrs against autocracy and suppression, Yaseen said their martyrdom laid the foundation of a democratic and secular state. “Now it is our primary duty to work for the fulfillment of the cherished mission of the martyrs,” he said.
Paying glowing tributes to the martyrs, MLA Langate Er. Rasheed said the mission of martyrs is yet to be completed. He said the politicians have been exploiting the sacrifices made by these martyrs. “Though we have come here to offer “Fateha” and pay tributes to these great souls but the fact remains that the real tribute to these national heroes is possible only by accomplishment of their mission,” Er. Rasheed said.
“How sad is to create a curfew like situation on martyrs day. I am sure that this approach of rulers is painful for the souls of martyrs,” Rashid added. (GNS)
