THE history of the State of Jammu and Kashmir is adorned with indelible marks of oppression, resistance, sacrifice and the unyielding spirit of freedom.

For centuries, the people of Kashmir endured foreign domination yet never abandoned their dream of liberty and self-determination. Their struggle has always been about safeguarding their homeland, preserving their identity and securing the future of their generations. Within this long saga, October 24 stands out as a milestone—the day when the Kashmiri people proclaimed their freedom and wrote a new chapter in their destiny. The roots of this struggle trace back to March 16, 1846, when under the Treaty of Amritsar, the entire territory of Kashmir was sold to the Dogra ruler Gulab Singh for a mere 7.5 million Nanakshahi rupees. This infamous treaty was not only a humiliation for the Kashmiri people but also the beginning of a century-long era of servitude and tyranny. The common people toiled endlessly, watering the land with their sweat and blood while the rulers treated them as subjects without rights or dignity.

The first organized voice against this slavery rose on July 13, 1931, when dozens of Kashmiris were martyred outside the Srinagar Central Jail. Their only crime was their demand for justice and freedom. This day became a symbol of awakening and sacrifice, breathing new life into the freedom movement of Kashmir. In this context, the 1934 elections and the establishment of the Praja Sabha marked a significant........

© Pakistan Observer