J&K CM Omar Abdullah scales wall of martyrs' graveyard, alleges house arrest

In a dramatic turn of events on July 14, 2025, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was captured in a viral video scaling the boundary wall of Mazar-e-Shuhada in Srinagar's Nowhatta area to offer prayers on Martyrs' Day, after alleging that security forces had prevented him from entering the graveyard and placed him under house arrest on July 13. Abdullah stated he came unannounced on Monday to circumvent further restrictions, following what he described as being "locked up" at home the previous day.

Addressing the media after offering Fatiha, the Chief Minister condemned the restrictions, asserting, "It is unfortunate that by the orders of those who claim their responsibility is to maintain law and order, we were not allowed to recite the Fatiha yesterday. Everyone was house-arrested since morning." He highlighted that police bunkers were set up outside his residence shortly after he informed the control room of his intent to visit the Mazar. Abdullah also criticized the move as undemocratic, questioning the legality of being stopped and declaring, "They say that this is a free country, but they think that we are their slaves. We are nobody's slaves. We are only the slaves of the people here.” He further alleged physical manhandling by police and attempts to tear his party flag during the visit.

The Srinagar district administration had earlier rejected the National Conference's plea to hold a tribute at the Mazar, and police issued a public advisory barring all such gatherings on July 13. Martyrs' Day commemorates the killing of 22 Kashmiri Muslims by the Dogra regime in 1931 during a protest against the trial of Abdul Qadeer Khan. This pivotal historical event, where police opened fire on an unarmed crowd outside Srinagar Central Jail, led to the creation of the Martyrs’ Graveyard. Historically observed as an official holiday in Jammu and Kashmir until its abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the day's official recognition was replaced with Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary in 2022, a move that continues to be a point of contention in the region.