J&K Budget Session: BJP Members Stage Walkout Amid Uproar Over 1931 Killings
Srinagar 05 March 2025: A political storm erupted in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday, leading to a walkout by BJP MLAs after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather expunged remarks made by Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJP MLA Sunil Sharma regarding the July 13, 1931 killings in Srinagar.
The uproar began when Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para demanded the restoration of the July 13 holiday in remembrance of the 22 men killed outside Central Jail, Srinagar, in 1931. The holiday, once observed annually in Jammu and Kashmir, was discontinued following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Para also urged that December 5 — the birth anniversary of National Conference (NC) founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah — be reinstated as a public holiday.
Arguing in favour of the July 13 commemoration, Para described the event as an uprising against the autocratic rule of the last Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh and a symbol of the democratic struggle in Jammu and Kashmir. “This day is not communal in any manner but represents a moment in India’s democratic history. It was a day of resistance against monarchy and lives were sacrificed for that cause,” he stated.
His remarks sparked heated exchanges between BJP legislators and MLAs from the Kashmir region. As tensions escalated, Speaker Rather intervened but failed to pacify the lawmakers. The situation further intensified when LoP Sunil Sharma’s remarks were expunged from the Assembly records, prompting him and all 28 BJP MLAs to stage a walkout in protest.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Sharma defended his position, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir was a state established by Maharaja Hari Singh and that its resources had been exploited by Kashmir-centric leaders for decades. “We are proud of our ideology and of the last ruler of J&K. Anyone who stood against the Maharaja cannot be considered a martyr,” he said.
Sheikh Khursheed, MLA from Langate and leader of Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), condemned Sharma’s comments as “humiliating and divisive,” stating that such statements insult the sacrifices of the people and should have no place in the Assembly records.
Outside the House, Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also denounced Sharma’s remarks, calling them “outrageous.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “These martyrs, revered by one and all in J&K, are part of our collective memory of the great sacrifices made by the people of Kashmir for their rights. Any attempt to malign them will be firmly resisted.”
The Controversial Remarks
The uproar began when Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para demanded the restoration of the July 13 holiday in remembrance of the 22 men killed outside Central Jail, Srinagar, in 1931. The holiday, once observed annually in Jammu and Kashmir, was discontinued following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Para also urged that December 5 — the birth anniversary of National Conference (NC) founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah — be reinstated as a public holiday.
Arguments for Commemoration
Arguing in favor of the July 13 commemoration, Para described the event as an uprising against the autocratic rule of the last Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh and a symbol of the democratic struggle in Jammu and Kashmir. “This day is not communal in any manner but represents a moment in India’s democratic history. It was a day of resistance against monarchy and lives were sacrificed for that cause,” he stated.
Heated Exchanges
Para’s remarks sparked heated exchanges between BJP legislators and MLAs from the Kashmir region. As tensions escalated, Speaker Rather intervened but failed to pacify the lawmakers. The situation further intensified when LoP Sunil Sharma’s remarks were expunged from the Assembly records, prompting him and all 28 BJP MLAs to stage a walkout in protest.
Sharma’s Defense
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Sharma defended his position, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir was a state established by Maharaja Hari Singh and that its resources had been exploited by Kashmir-centric leaders for decades. “We are proud of our ideology and of the last ruler of J&K. Anyone who stood against the Maharaja cannot be considered a martyr,” he said.
Condemnation from Opposition
Sheikh Khursheed, MLA from Langate and leader of Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), condemned Sharma’s comments as “humiliating and divisive,” stating that such statements insult the sacrifices of the people and should have no place in the Assembly records. Outside the House, Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also denounced Sharma’s remarks, calling them “outrageous.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “These martyrs, revered by one and all in J&K, are part of our collective memory of the great sacrifices made by the people of Kashmir for their rights. Any attempt to malign them will be firmly resisted.”
Historical Significance of July 13, 1931
The martyrs of July 13, 1931, hold a significant place in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. On this day, 22 unarmed protesters were killed by the forces of the Dogra Maharaja during an uprising against the oppressive regime. The day has been commemorated as Martyr’s Day, honoring the sacrifices made by these individuals in their struggle for justice and rights.
Demands for Restoration of Martyr’s Day
The controversy was further fueled by demands from PDP MLA Waheed-Ur-Rehman Para to restore Martyr’s Day as an official holiday. Martyr’s Day was observed as an official holiday in Jammu and Kashmir until 2019-20, but it was scrapped following the abrogation of Article 370. Para’s demand for the restoration of the holiday was met with resistance from BJP legislators, leading to a heated exchange in the Assembly.
Speaker’s Intervention
In response to the escalating tensions, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather intervened and ordered the expunging of Sunil Sharma’s remarks from the official records. This decision was met with protests from BJP legislators, who accused the Speaker of bias and subsequently staged a walkout from the Assembly.
Public Outcry
The controversy also sparked a public outcry, with various civil society groups and political organizations condemning the remarks made by the BJP MLA. Protests were held in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, with demonstrators demanding an apology from Sunil Sharma and the restoration of Martyr’s Day as an official holiday.
Political Implications
The controversy surrounding the remarks made by Sunil Sharma has significant political implications. It highlights the deep-seated tensions between the BJP and the regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP’s stance on historical events and its approach to the region’s history have often been a point of contention with parties like the NC and PDP.
Calls for Apology
In the wake of the controversy, there have been widespread calls for Sunil Sharma to issue a public apology for his remarks. Opposition leaders have demanded that the BJP take responsibility for the statements made by its legislator and ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
Conclusion
The pandemonium in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly over the ‘derogatory remarks’ made by a BJP MLA underscores the sensitive nature of historical events and their impact on contemporary politics. The controversy has reignited debates about the legacy of the 1931 martyrs and the need to honor their sacrifices. As the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir continues to evolve, it is crucial for all parties to engage in respectful dialogue and work towards preserving the region’s rich history and heritage.
