Srinagar, July 11, 2025 : Reigniting the political discourse over the legacy of the 1931 martyrs, the National Conference (NC) has pledged to reinstate the July 13 ‘Martyrs’ Day’ holiday at the earliest opportunity.
Speaking at a party event, NC chief spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq reaffirmed the party’s commitment to restoring the holiday, which was dropped from the official calendar after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. “We’ve made a promise, and we will definitely bring back the holiday as soon as possible,” Sadiq told reporters.
He said the removal of the holiday reflects a broader erosion of J&K’s political identity. “This is why we keep insisting on the return of statehood. Only then can we undo the damage done to J&K’s institutions and identity,” he stated.
Sadiq confirmed that the party has formally requested the District Magistrate Srinagar to allow them to pay tributes and offer Fatiha at the Martyrs’ Graveyard in Naqshband Sahib, Old Srinagar. “We are simply seeking permission to honour the martyrs. There should be no law and order concern,” he said, targeting the Raj Bhawan for allegedly politicizing the issue.
“Why should remembering our martyrs discomfort Raj Bhawan? It’s shameful,” he added.
Sadiq also launched a blistering attack on PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari, accusing both of political hypocrisy. “When PDP was in alliance with the BJP, none of their cabinet ministers visited the graveyard on July 13. They didn’t even respect the state flag. Now they want to lecture us on Martyrs’ Day?” he said.
Blaming their alliance politics for the events of 2019, Sadiq concluded: “This is political opportunism at its worst – and people of Jammu and Kashmir have already rejected it.”
