Terming 13 July as turning point in history, Minister of CAPD & Tribal Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali has said that the 1931 martyrs had scarified their life against the suppression and autocratic rule of Dogras and had paved way for new era of Democracy in Jammu & Kashmir.Along with Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and other ministers, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali interacted media at Mazar-e-Shohada, Srinagar after paying homage to the Martyrs of July 13, 1931.On the occasion, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said that July 13, 1931 was beginning of new era in Jammu and Kashmir and the date will be written in red letters on the pages of history. He said that for the first time, people of Kashmir raised voice against the autocratic rule and opened a new chapter for democracy. He said that on the day innocent people were shot dead outside Srinagar Central Jail by the troops of then rulers, where they had gathered to witness the court proceedings against one Abdul Qadeer, who was being tried for his crime of instigating people to defy Dogra rule.
Terming the day as turning point in the history of Kashmir, Minister said that the scarifies of these 21 youth have given the people of Kashmir dignity. He said that people were slave but for the first time the authority of autocratic rule was challenged which resulted in State's first elections in 1934 and a new era towards democracy initiated. He said that Quit Kashmir movement was important in the history and is having the same place on the pages of History which Quit India Movement is having in history.Terming democracy as important to express their ideas in free way, Zulfkar said that Mufti led government is sincere for strengthening of democracy. He said that democracy is important for overall development of the people and people have realized it during the elections. (CNS)