BJP Rejects Regional Parties’ Demand for Kashmir Martyrs’ Day Holiday in J&K

By A Staff Reporter

Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly opposed the demand by regional parties for reinstating July 13 as a public holiday in Jammu and Kashmir to mark Kashmir Martyrs’ Day. BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur stated that the party does not recognise those commemorated on that day as martyrs, calling them “rioters” instead.

Responding to renewed appeals from parties like the National Conference (NC), Thakur said, “Kashmiri Pandits were looted and killed that day, so they observe it as 'black day'. So, BJP doesn't consider them martyrs; they were rioters, troublemakers who resorted to violence to get their people released from jail.”

Martyrs’ Day, traditionally observed on July 13, commemorated the deaths of 22 Kashmiris killed in 1931 during a protest against the Dogra monarchy. The day was previously marked as a public holiday until it was removed from the official calendar after Jammu and Kashmir's special status was revoked in 2019.

“Maybe National Conference or other regional parties consider them [martyrs]. But as far as BJP is concerned, BJP doesn't consider them martyrs,” Thakur added. He further challenged the NC, saying, “If National Conference has courage, then they can announce it a holiday. But BJP doesn't consider this Martyrs' Day.”