BJP MLAs walk out of assembly over expunged remarks on July 13 Martyrs
RC Sharma Chanakya
Jammu, Mar 05: In a dramatic turn of events, all 28 BJP MLAs staged a walkout from the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather decided to expunge what he termed “derogatory remarks” made by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma about the “martyrs” of July 13, 1931, during a contentious debate in the House.
The commotion unfolded during a discussion on the motion of thanks for Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s address to the Assembly. PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para raised the issue of restoring public holidays for July 13, commemorating the “martyrs” who were killed by the forces of Maharaja Hari Singh, and December 5, the birth anniversary of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. These holidays were scrapped following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, with the LG-led administration replacing them with September 23 (Maharaja Hari Singh’s birthday) and October 26 (the day the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession in 1947).
In response to Para’s call, BJP leader Sunil Sharma made controversial remarks regarding the 1931 “martyrs.” Para strongly defended his position, emphasizing that the July 13 protests were not “communal” but a significant moment in the democratic evolution of Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that it marked a day of resistance against the monarchy, with many sacrificing their lives for the cause of freedom. “Until the sacrifices made on July 13 are formally acknowledged and the holiday is restored, the BJP will fail to do justice to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Para declared.
Further intensifying his critique, Para accused the BJP of turning the region into a “glorified municipality” and argued that the Lieutenant Governor’s address focused more on advancing the BJP’s political agenda rather than reflecting the aspirations and sentiments of the people, or fulfilling the promises made by the National Conference.
As Para concluded, Sharma interjected, praising Maharaja Hari Singh’s contributions to the state and asserting that any disparagement of the Maharaja would not be tolerated. “I can understand Para’s pain, given his party’s performance in the recent Assembly elections. You are living in the era of the Maharaja,” Sharma remarked, sparking protests from the Treasury benches, including members from the NC, PDP, and several independents, who demanded that he retract his comments.
In response, Para questioned why these same members had not shown similar empathy for the civilians killed during violent clashes in Kashmir under the NC and PDP governments. Amid the growing protests, Speaker Rather intervened and expunged Sharma’s “derogatory remarks,” which prompted the BJP MLAs to walk out of the Assembly in protest.
Later, Sajad Gani Lone, leader of the People’s Conference, called on the Assembly to pass a resolution urging the restoration of public holidays for both Martyrs’ Day on July 13 and the birth anniversary of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on December 5.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Sunil Sharma described the July 13 protests as a “rebellion” against the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, under the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh, and branded the protestors as “traitors.” He defended the Maharaja as a just ruler and expressed pride in his stance, questioning, “Why are they not mourning those who were killed under their rule in 2010 and 2016?”
Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, in his defense, addressed the media outside the Assembly, clarifying his position: “July 13 is not a day against Jammu or any community. It is a day to celebrate democracy and the democratic awakening of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It should be respected in that spirit, just as it has been for the last seven decades.”
