Kashmir marks the 92nd Martyr’s Day on 13 July, the day in 1931 when twenty-two Kashmiri civilians gave their lives in a tragic incident. The 22 Kashmiris were killed for reciting the Muslim call to prayer, or Adhan, which was banned in Kashmir at the time. One by one, they stepped forward to recite as each was killed by a single bullet.
Kashmir Martyrs’ Day has been observed by the people of the held valley and Pakistan on July 13 for the last 92 years. The day commemorates the martyrdom of 22 Kashmiri muezzins (prayer callers). Who were killed outside Srinagar jail on July 13, 1931. By the soldiers of the Maharaja of Kashmir while attempting to say the Adhan (call for prayer).
Numerous Muslims were also arrested on the occasion. It historically emerged as the call for prayer that ended with the lives of 22 muezzins. The sound of that Azan still reverberates in the hearts of Kashmiris. It is sacrifices such as these that keep the spirit of the Kashmiris alive.
In 1846, Britain as a colonial power sold Kashmir to a wealthy Indian Maharaja named Gulab Singh. He was a ruthless monarch. He set out to humiliate the majority of Kashmiri Muslims. In July 1931, Singh banned the adhan, the call to prayer rendered at mosques.
Brave Muzzens
A Kashmiri man, named Abdulqadir, was arrested by maharaja’s soldiers and tried for sedition. On the day of his trial, on 13 July 1931, thousands of Kashmiris gathered outside the prison awaiting the result of the trial. During the wait, it was noon prayer time, known to Muslims as Zohr. One Kashmiri stood up and recited the azaan. Before he could complete it, he was shot and killed by maharaja’s police. Another Kashmiri man took his place and attempted to complete the azaan but was shot to death. A third man rose, and then a fourth. In the end, a total of twenty-two men were killed, each one of them having recited a part of the call to prayer until it was read out in full.
Every day for the past 92 years, Kashmiris have faithfully marked Kashmir Martyrs Day to commemorate the sacrifice of these men for freedom. History is made of such stories. Nations rise when their sons and daughters feed national pride with compelling examples of sacrifice.
