Dr. Abhijeet Jasrotia, Girdhari Lal Raina, and Rajni Kaloo Question Sheikh Abdullah’s Role in Kashmir’s History and Political Hypocrisy on Martyrdom

JAMMU: In a thought-provoking press conference at the party office in Trikuta Nagar, Dr. Abhijeet Jasrotia, former MLC and BJP spokesperson Girdhari Lal Raina, and BJP spokesperson Rajni Kaloo Sethi presented a critical analysis of Kashmir’s history, questioning the role of Sheikh Abdullah and exposing what they termed as political hypocrisy on martyrdom. They asserted that Kashmir’s past was shaped by conspiracies involving local and international players, with the British playing a key role in destabilizing the region for their strategic gains.

Dr. Jasrotia highlighted that Sheikh Abdullah, who pursued his MSc in Chemistry with financial assistance from Maharaja Hari Singh, later turned against the very ruler who had supported his education. He claimed that Abdullah’s frustration stemmed from being offered a teacher’s post instead of a lecturer’s position, which allegedly led him to conspire against the Maharaja.

Shedding light on geopolitical factors, Dr. Jasrotia stated that the British were determined to control Gilgit-Baltistan due to the rising Soviet influence in the region. When Maharaja Hari Singh refused their demand for a 99-year lease, it provoked their hostility. He further alleged that Abdul Qadir, a Pakistani, was brought to Kashmir by Roussel Rouf Ahmad on British directions and was used to incite unrest against the Maharaja.

Dr. Jasrotia emphasized Maharaja Hari Singh’s participation in the 1932 Round Table Conference in London, where he was the only Indian monarch who boldly advocated for a united India and demanded the British to free the country. This, he argued, intensified British conspiracies against him.

He also recounted a premeditated attack on the temporary court in Rainawari, disrupting judicial proceedings and triggering four months of violence. Hindus were targeted, shops were looted and burned, and forced conversions were reported. Citing historian Christopher Snedden’s book Understanding Kashmir & Kashmiris, he claimed that Sheikh Abdullah played a role in facilitating British interests in Gilgit-Baltistan, keeping even Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru unaware of the developments.

Dr. Jasrotia further questioned the selective use of the term "martyr." Referring to the 2010 unrest under then-Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, where over 120 youths were killed following a fake Machail encounter, and the 2016 protests under Mehbooba Mufti’s leadership, where over 96 people lost their lives and many were blinded due to pellet guns, he asked, "Are these all martyrs? If yes, then we can consider the 1931 casualties as martyrs too."

He blamed Sheikh Abdullah’s refusal to integrate Gilgit-Baltistan into India as a historical blunder,  However, he lamented that some historical mistakes remain irreversible. Quoting, “Lamhon ne khata ki, aur sadiyon ne saza pai,” he left the audience to decide—who was a traitor and who was a martyr?

Former MLC and BJP spokesperson Girdhari Lal Raina accused the National Conference leadership of being responsible for communal politics and atrocities against religious minorities. He stated that the 1931 events marked the beginning of organized communal mobilization against the minority community in Kashmir. He cited the Dalal Committee report, which recorded the pre-planned attacks on Kashmiri Hindus in areas like Maharaj Ganj and Vichar Nag. He emphasized that the riots were neither spontaneous nor limited to Srinagar alone. He further stated that the Kashmiri Pandit community observes July 13 as Black Day / Batta Loot Day in remembrance of the atrocities committed.

BJP spokesperson Rajni Kaloo shared an emotional account, recalling how her grandmother, a resident of Ali Kadal, had witnessed the horrific events of July 13, 1931. She revealed that her grandmother saw innocent girls being raped on that fateful day, a memory that continues to haunt the Kashmiri Pandit community.

The press conference concluded with a strong appeal for an honest reassessment of history, urging people to differentiate between historical facts and political propaganda.