Apni Party slams BJP leader’s ‘derogatory remarks’ about July 13, 1931 ‘martyrs’

Srinagar, Mar 05: Apni Party’s senior leader and chief spokesperson, Muntazir Mohiuddin on Wednesday lashed out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sunil Sharma for his “derogatory and outrageous” remarks against the “martyrs” of July 13, 1931, saying the people of Jammu and Kashmir will not tolerate any disrespect or disregard toward these “revered martyrs”.
Notably, the Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma referred to the “martyrs” of July 13, 1931, as “traitors”, saying, “Those killed on July 13, 1931, were arsonists, not martyrs.” Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Sharma said, “Traitors cannot be called martyrs.”
Reacting to these “disgraceful” remarks by the BJP leader, Mohiuddin said, “I and the Apni Party strongly condemn these derogatory and outrageous remarks against the martyrs of July 13, 1931. We are proud of them, as their sacrifices are sacred to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The people of J&K cannot tolerate any disrespect or disregard toward these revered martyrs. The BJP leader must apologize for these offensive remarks.”
In his statement, Muntazir went on to say, “The martyrs of July 13 fought against autocracy, dictatorship, one-man rule, hooliganism, and forced labour. They were martyred while giving the adhan (call to prayer) during a large gathering outside the central jail in Srinagar. Therefore, these sacrifices are supreme for us.”
“Unfortunately, the BJP takes pride in playing with the emotions of minorities in the country. Their leaders must educate themselves to understand that the struggle of the martyrs who fell on July 13, 1931, was not about any communal divide. It was a struggle against oppression, supported by everyone,” he added.
Muntazir said the Apni Party fully supports the demand for restoring the gazetted holiday in memory of the “martyrs” of July 13.