Kashmiri Martyrs’ Day is celebrated on 13 July, commemorating the events of 1931 when 22 Kashmiri Muslims were killed by Dogra forces in Srinagar. The day has been celebrated for 93 years.
The incident occurred during a protest against the state trial of Abdul Qadeer Khan. When the protesters tried to call for prayers, the police opened fire, killing the first muezzin.
When the others stepped forward to continue the call, they were also shot. The ensuing violence left 22 dead and more than 100 injured.
The martyrs were buried near the shrine of Khawaja Bahauddin Naqshbandi, now known as the Martyrs’ Cemetery.
In 2019, the Indian government under Prime Minister Modi revoked the official holiday status of July 13 in Kashmir.
Despite ongoing tensions, human rights organizations around the world continue to protest the alleged oppression in Indian Kashmir.
