The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday staged a protest against a derogatory remark 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.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.

“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.