Iltija Mufti leads PDP protest over July 13 remarks in Assembly

SRINAGAR — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday staged a protest against derogatory remarks made about the July 13 Martyrs during a session in the Legislative Assembly. Led by party leader Iltija Mufti, the protest march concluded at Polo View Srinagar.

Speaking on the occasion, Iltija Mufti emphasized that July 13, 1931, marked the beginning of Jammu & Kashmir’s fight for democracy. “The people of J&K made sacrifices for democratic ideals, just as the rest of the country did, the only difference being that their struggle was against a local ruler,” she stated.

Iltija expressed gratitude to Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather for expunging the controversial remarks and demanded an unconditional apology from BJP leader Sunil Sharma. She accused the BJP of distorting historical facts for political gain.

“The BJP is trying to manipulate history with a divisive agenda. If they truly revere Maharaja Hari Singh, why did they revoke J&K’s state flag, its constitution, and the special status that he had negotiated at the time of accession?” the PDP said in a statement.

The party also reiterated its demand to reinstate July 13 as a public holiday, accusing the BJP-led administration of erasing Jammu & Kashmir’s historical legacy.