Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 13 (ANI): People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said that the 'dil ki doori (distance of hearts)' between Kashmir and the rest of India would end when the Centre accepts Kashmir's heroes as its own, just as Kashmiris have embraced national figures.

Her comments came amid allegations that the Union Territory administration had denied regional political parties permission to visit the martyrs' graveyard in Srinagar. Mufti further claimed that residents had been 'locked' inside their homes to prevent them from paying respects to the martyrs.

https://x.com/MehboobaMufti/status/1944234628526575895

'The day you accept our heroes as your own just as Kashmiris have embraced yours, from Mahatma Gandhi to Bhagat Sing, that day, as Prime Minister Modi once said, the 'dil ki doori' (distance of hearts) will truly end,' the PDP chief wrote on X.

'When you lay siege to the Martyrs' Graveyard, lock people in their homes to prevent them from visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada, it speaks volumes. July 13th commemorates our martyrs, those who rose against tyranny, much like countless others across the country. They will always be our heroes,' she added.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also alleged that homes had been 'locked' from the outside, central forces deployed like 'jailers,' and major bridges in Srinagar 'blocked' to prevent people from visiting the historically important graveyard.

'In a blatantly undemocratic move homes have been locked from the outside, police & central forces deployed as jailers & major bridges in Srinagar blocked. All to stop people from visiting a historically important grave yard containing the graves of people who laid down their lives to give Kashmiris a voice & to empower them. I will never understand what the Law & Order government is so afraid of,' Abdullah posted on X.

In another post, Abdullah claimed the July 13 incident was similar to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, arguing that the sacrifices of those who stood against British rule should not be forgotten.

'13th July massacre is our Jallianwala Bagh. The people who laid down their lives did so against the British. Kashmir was being ruled under the British Paramountcy. What a shame that true heroes who fought against British rule in all its forms are today projected as villains only because they were Muslims. We may be denied the opportunity to visit their graves today but we will not forget their sacrifices,' he said.

Abdullah's remarks were in response to a post by Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) chief spokesperson and Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq, who also alleged that several party leaders had been confined to their homes to stop them from paying tribute.

'Since last night, I like many of my colleagues, including the party leadership at Gupkar, the Advisor to the Chief Minister, and a majority of sitting MLAs have been locked inside my home. This is not just unfortunate; it is a deliberate attempt to suppress remembrance and deny us the right to honour the martyrs of July 13. Such actions are not only unnecessary they are unjustified, deeply insensitive, and reveal a troubling disregard for history,' Sadiq posted on X. (ANI)