Omar Abdullah Scales Graveyard Gate to Pay Tribute to 1931 Martyrs

Srinagar: In a dramatic display of defiance, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday climbed the locked gates of the Naqshband Sahib graveyard in Srinagar to pay homage to the 22 civilians martyred by the Dogra army in 1931.

The incident came a day after Omar, along with CPI M MP Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami, several National Conference (NC) and opposition leaders, was allegedly placed under house arrest to prevent participation in Martyrs’ Day observances on July 13.

Despite roadblocks set up by security forces at key entry points to the graveyard from Khanyar and Nowhatta, Omar led a determined march after his convoy was halted. Upon reaching the sealed gate, he scaled it to enter the premises and offer prayers ("fateha'), joined by NC leaders and his security personnel. The gate was later opened.

NC president Farooq Abdullah took an autorickshaw from the Khanyar crossing to the site, while Education Minister Sakina Ittoo arrived riding pillion on a scooty, both acts seen as symbolic gestures of protest.

Slamming the administration, Omar accused the police and the office of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of obstructing their visit. "We were under house arrest yesterday. Even today they tried to stop us. They attempted to manhandle us. This is not acceptable in a democratic country," he told reporters.

He also criticised the use of force and questioned the logic behind barring access on a different day. "Why stop us today if restrictions were meant for yesterday? These graves are here every day of the year, not just on July 13. We'll come whenever we choose," he said.

Martyrs’ Day, observed annually on July 13, honours 22 people who were killed during a protest outside Srinagar Central Jail in 1931. The L-G administration removed the day from the list of gazetted holidays in 2020.