Srinagar: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday staged a protest in Srinagar against remarks made in the J&K Assembly regarding the July 13 Martyrs.
Speaking to media persons as per news agency JKNS, Iltija Mufti said, “July 13, 1931, was the day Jammu & Kashmir’s struggle for democracy began.
The people of J&K sacrificed for democratic ideals, just as others did across India, with the difference that their fight was against a local ruler,” she said.
She welcomed Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather’s decision to expunge the remarks and demanded an apology from BJP leader Sunil Sharma. “The BJP is distorting historical facts for political motives,” she alleged.
Iltija further questioned BJP’s stance, saying, “If they truly respect Maharaja Hari Singh, why did they remove J&K’s state flag, its constitution, and the special status negotiated at the time of accession?”
The PDP reiterated its demand to reinstate July 13 as a public holiday, accusing the BJP-led government of attempting to erase J&K’s historical identity. (JKNS)
