Remembering Ghulam Muhammad Bulla: A Symbol of Kashmiri Resistance

In the illegally occupied region of Jammu and Kashmir, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) paid heartfelt tributes on the 49th martyrdom anniversary of the noted freedom leader, Ghulam Muhammad Bulla. Bulla, a prominent figure in the struggle for Kashmir’s autonomy, was arrested by the Indian police in Sopore and later met his demise in custody on this day in 1975 at Central Jail Srinagar. His arrest followed his leadership in a protest rally against the Indira-Abdullah Accord.

Hurriyat leaders, including Bashir Andrabi, Yameen Raja, Zamrooda Habib, Farida Bahanji, Javed Ahmad Mir, Farooq Ahmad Tawheedi, Imtiyaz Ahmad Reshi, and others, gathered to pay their respects to Ghulam Muhammad Bulla. They emphasized that the sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs, including Bulla, would not be in vain, and the mission for Kashmir’s autonomy would prevail at any cost. Despite India’s historical attempts to suppress the voice of Kashmiris through force since 1947, the leaders asserted that past failures would be replicated in the future.

APHC-AJK Convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, while commemorating Shaheed Bulla, highlighted the significant role he played during the unrest triggered by the Indira-Abdullah accord. Saghar explained that the accord caused widespread public anger against Sheikh Abdullah and Indian leaders, leading to a mass resistance movement in the occupied territory. Bulla’s arrest in Sopore marked a turning point, as he was beaten in the local police station before being transferred to Central Jail Srinagar, where he eventually succumbed to death. Saghar mourned the fact that Bulla’s body was not returned to his parents; instead, it was secretly taken to Sopore and buried pre-dawn by a police party.

Mehmood Ahmed Saghar prayed for heavenly blessings for all the martyrs of the Kashmir freedom struggle, emphasizing the indomitable spirit and sacrifices made by individuals like Bulla. Leaders of the APHC-AJK chapter in Islamabad also joined in paying homage to Shaheed Ghulam Muhammad Bulla, describing him as a valiant son of the soil whose sacrifice in the 1970s and 1980s ignited a renewed fervor for freedom across Jammu and Kashmir.

Ghulam Muhammad Bulla’s legacy stands as a symbol of Kashmiri resistance, reminding the world of the ongoing struggle for self-determination and autonomy in the region. His sacrifice continues to inspire the youth, keeping the flame of freedom alive in the hearts of Kashmiris.