PDP Legislator Seeks Restoration of IIOJK’s Special Status and Martyrs’ Day Recognition

Amid ongoing political tensions in Jammu and Kashmir, PDP legislator Waheedur Rehman Para calls for the reinstatement of a resolution that seeks to restore the region’s special status and recognize July 13 as Martyrs’ Day.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheedur Rehman Para has sent a letter to the Speaker of the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) Legislative Assembly, demanding the reinstatement of his resolution. The resolution seeks the restoration of IIOJK’s special status and the recognition of July 13 as Martyrs’ Day. Para, who represents Pulwama, criticized the legislative process during the ongoing budget session and expressed disappointment over the exclusion of his Martyrs’ Day resolution from the March 26 bulletin.

Para emphasized the historical importance of July 13, 1931, when 22 protesters were killed outside the Srinagar Central Jail by the forces of the Dogra Maharaja. He argued that this event was a key moment in IIOJK’s political awakening and that recognizing the day as a public holiday is essential for preserving the region’s historical memory.

The final phase of the Assembly’s budget session, set to resume on April 7 after a 12-day recess, will feature the tabling of 14 private members’ resolutions. Among these, three focus on the restoration of statehood. Para questioned why his resolution, despite receiving broad support from legislators, was left out while others addressing statehood were included.

In his letter, Para recalled the resolution he introduced in November 2024, which urged New Delhi to explore a constitutional mechanism for restoring IIOJK’s special status. He raised concerns that the exclusion of his resolution could be a deliberate attempt to divert attention away from the issues surrounding Articles 370 and 35A, which revoked the region’s autonomy. He also questioned whether this decision could set a concerning precedent for future legislative proceedings.

Para urged Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to use his discretionary powers to admit the resolution, referencing a similar situation in November 2024, when the special status resolution was admitted despite not being included in the order of business. This budget session is the first since the abrogation of Article 370, marking the return of elected representation to IIOJK after a six-year break.

The session, which began on March 3, includes 21 sittings in total, with the final phase scheduled from April 7 to April 9. Para’s appeal highlights the ongoing political struggles in the region, as the legislative body continues to address key issues surrounding IIOJK’s status and history.