Kashmir, 13 July — On the occasion of Martyrs' Day in Indian Jammu and Kashmir, former Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah have alleged that they are under house arrest. The claims were made in separate posts on their social media accounts on Saturday.

Mehbooba Mufti, the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), posted a photo of the locked gate of her residence on her X (formerly Twitter) handle. She wrote, "The gates of my house have been locked again to prevent visits to Mazar-e-Shuhada. Mazar-e-Shuhada is an enduring symbol of Kashmir's resistance against authoritarianism, oppression, and injustice. The history of the sacrifices of our martyrs proves that the spirit of Kashmiris cannot be crushed."

Similarly, Omar Abdullah, another former Chief Minister and a leader of the National Conference (NC), complained that he was prevented from visiting the Mazar-e-Shuhada, the burial place of martyrs. Abdullah expressed his frustration at being barred from paying respects at the site, which holds historical significance for many Kashmiris.

Martyrs' Day has been observed on July 13 for many years in memory of the 22 Kashmiri rebels who were killed in 1931 by the forces of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir during British rule. This day is a symbol of Kashmir's struggle against oppression and is remembered by many as a day of resistance and sacrifice.

However, following the abrogation of Article 370 by the Narendra Modi government on August 5, 2019, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, the observance of Martyrs' Day has reportedly been curtailed. The special status granted autonomy to the region, and its removal has led to widespread changes in the political and social landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.

The alleged house arrests of prominent political leaders on this symbolic day highlight the ongoing tensions and challenges faced in the region.