Jammu, Jul 13:
Today Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) staged a demonstration demanding the abolishment of the Martyrs’ Day holiday, observed a ‘black day’. The protest was done under the leadership of President Yuva Rajput Sabha, Surinder Singh Gilli. Gilli sad that Martyrs’ Day is observed in Jammu and Kashmir on July 13 every year to remember the people who were killed in firing by soldiers of Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh on this day in 1931 during protests against his autocratic rule. The Sabha held black banners reading No Martyr’s Day,” “Not our holiday” and “It is our working day. Alleging that the incident of July 13, 1931, had not been portrayed right, YRS President Surinder Singh Gilli appealed to Jammu and Kashmir Governor SP Malik to declare July 13 a working day. As part of a conspiracy against the then Maharaja, who had favoured independence of India, some communal elements made an attempt on this day in 1931 to scare away the Kashmiri Pandits at the behest of the British rulers, Gilli alleged. Gilli further said the community observed the holiday as black day as it was a reminder of large scale arson, loot and sectarian carnage against minority Hindus. The seeds of genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Hindu community from the Valley were sown on this day. Gilli further added that Yuva Rajpit Sabha urged the Modi central government and Governor lf the state SP Malik to abolish the public holiday. And declare 23rd Sept a gazzatted holiday on the eve of birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh ji. Others who were present are, Vikram Singh, Sachin, Shubu, Mandeep, Mukesh, Rajveer, Raghuveer, Rajinder, Mesha, Manja, Mahinder, Fentu, Praveen, Swarn, and many others.
