Friday prayers barred at Jama Masjid in Srinagar ahead of ‘Martyrs Day’: Mirwaiz

The authorities on Friday (July 11, 2025) disallowed congregational prayers at historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar, two days ahead of ‘Martyrs’ Day’ in J&K.

A spokesman of the Jama Masjid said Kashmir’s chief cleric Umar Farooq was disallowed by the authorities to go to the mosque and was put under house arrest, “fearing the mention of the martyrs of 13th July 1931 in his Friday sermon”.

“The sacrifice of these martyrs, and all the martyrs since, is etched in the collective memory of Kashmir and cannot be undone by restrictions and bans. No living nation can forget the supreme sacrifice of life of its martyrs against tyranny and injustice,” the spokesman said.

He appealed to the authorities to remove the restrictions and allow people to peacefully pay homage to the martyrs of 13th July. “If allowed as per tradition, the Mirwaiz will visit the martyrs’ graveyard after Zuhr prayers and pay homage to the revered martyrs,” the spokesman added.

Several J&K’s regional parties are preparing to pay tributes at the graveyard in Srinagar on Sunday (July 13). Many parties, including ruling National Conference (NC) and J&K Apni Party, have written to the district magistrate, Srinagar, for permission to visit the graveyard on July 13. The Central government dropped July 13 from the official holiday list and ended the practice of official ceremony at the graveyard in Srinagar’s Naqshband shrine in 2019, months after the special status was brought to an end.

However, the NC, which came to power in J&K last year, is advocating inclusion of July 13 in the list of official holidays and re-start the practice of an official ceremony at the graveyard. “It’s deeply unfortunate and unacceptable that the Mirwaiz has once again been detained at home and prevented from fulfilling his religious duties. Silencing a religious leader, especially a day before 13th July, dishonours not just his voice but the legacy of our martyrs,” NC leader and MLA Tanvir Sadiq said.

 He said July 13, 1931, was a turning point in Kashmir’s history, and a brave stand against tyranny and injustice. “No bans or restrictions can erase the memory of that sacrifice. Kashmir will always honour its martyrs with dignity, peace, and truth. The NC will restore July 13 as a holiday,” Mr. Sadiq said.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur said those who died in 1931 were “goons and rioters”. “It was a loot day for Kashmiri Pandits,” he added.

July 13, 1931, was observed as ‘Martyrs Day’ in J&K to commemorate the killing of 22 civilians, who were shot dead in a rebellion against the Dogra monarchy.