Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 13: July 13 was observed as Black Day by nationalist people across the country today.
Various organizations including Panun Kashmir, (PK) JKNPP, ADKUF, Kashmiri Sikh Displaced Forum (KSDF), Joint Forum KP Organizations held a joint protest demonstration in front of Press Club here to protest against the observance of July 13 as Martyrs Day.
The demonstration was addressed by president P K Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, former MLA and NPP senior leader Balwant Singh Mankotia, D.N.Kissu, chairman-AD KPUF, Upinder Kaul, general secretary-PK and Sardar Prem Singh, President-KSDF, Virender Raina, spokesperson-Joint Forum
The protestors wearing black badges with banners and placards in their hands raised slogans decrying 1931 acts of genocide against the minority community of Kashmir.
The leaders while opposing the observance of the 13th July as the so-called Martyrs’ Day by the political structures of the State said it is tantamount to rubbing salt to the festering wounds of the minority Hindu community of Kashmir.
The leaders said that the nationalist forces in the State cannot forget the facts of history and have been observing this day as the Black Day for the last number of decades.
Those who forget the facts of history are condemned to live it again and that is why that the leadership of the nationalist forces has to remain on guard against any hasty and apolitical move regarding the Kashmir imbroglio. The issue of a historical error to observe 13th July as the Martyrs’ Day by the State Government was also taken up by the Kashmiri Pandits with the Union Minister for Home, Rajnath Singh recently in Delhi.
A resolution was also passed on the occasion today condemning the State Government for observing this day as the “Martyr’s Day” and it was demanded that October 26 be declared as the J&K State Day as it was on this day that the Instrument of Accession was signed by the Maharaja.
Another protest was held by All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) at its newly constructed office at Durga Nagar. Addressing the gathering R K Raina president ASKPC said that nationalist people all over the country are opposed to observance of the July 13 as Martyrs Day as this day in 1931 marks the beginning of first organized genocide of Hindus in Kashmir.
Dr A N Sadhu a senior KP leader said the community can’t forget the wounds of history and it is important to facts in correct perspective for the future generation. S K Bhat vice president ASKPC, Subash Chatta , Vijay Kashkari, Ravinder Raina, A K Raina, B L Handoo, Ashok Raina and Ravi Raina also addressed the demonstrators.
VHP patron Dr Rama Kant Dubey also opposed the observance of July 13 as Martyrs Day and criticized some self styled leaders of Jammu who never lag behind while showering praises on so called Martyrs just to please their mentors in Valley.
He said either these leaders have no knowledge and are bereft of facts or they have sold themselves to Kashmiri leaders. He said Abdul Qadir who instigated the people to violence took hold of mike and gave a venomous speech against the Maharaja and Hindus.
Former Minister and senior NPP leader Harshdev Singh today accused the BJP of cowardly reversing its stand on July 13 as `Martyrs’ Day and its observance as Gazetted Holiday. He said certain Saffron party leaders have made themselves as laughing stocks by simply issuing the statements that they are not participating in the Martyrs Day function.
Panun Kashmir observed the July 13 as Black Day said the Day was beginning of the communal onslaught of Kashmiri Muslims on Kashmiri Pandits in Valley. Addressing a programme organized in connection with observance of Black Day here today P K president, Vijay Bhat said his organization will continue struggle for carving out a separate homeland within Valley to reverse the genocide of over seven lakh Kashmiri Hindus.
Maharaja Hari Singh Sena which met here, today under the leadership of its president Saksham Singh lodged a strong protest against the celebration of July 13 as Martyrs Day and demanded that the Day be declared as Maharaja Day every year. The Sena leaders who participated in protest included its vice president Kunwar Vishudeep Singh , general secretary, Kunwar Rajdeep Singh and others.
Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) also observed the day as Black Day and held demonstrations at Delhi and other parts of country. The KPC activists wore black badges, switched off lights of their hoses and business establishments as a mark of protest today.
Addressing the protestors KPC chief Kundan Kashmiri said the July 13 1931 marks the beginning of the exodus of KPs from Valley as on this day the onslaught started on the community by the hands of the Muslims fundamentalists.
Another protest was held by KPC activists at Jammu which was addressed by its vice presidents, Tej Fotedar and Dr T K Bhat.
Kashmiri Pandits at Jagti also observed July 13 as Black Day and activists of community including Pinto Ji, Veer Ji Belove, Desh Rattan and Raj Nath Dhar strongly opposed observance of July 13 as Martyrs’ Day.
All Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) held a demonstration at Jantar Mantar New Delhi today to commemorate the first loot on Kashmiri Pandits in Valley on this day in 1931. The demonstration was led by Delhi incharge of the Party Ravinder Pandita. It demanded that the Government should issue a white paper on rehabilitation and return of Kashmiri Pandits.
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