Srinagar: The July 13,1931 massacre outside Srinagar Central jail is believed to be a turning point in Jammu Kashmir history. Historians believe political awakening of Jammu Kashmir commenced from this massacre.
The massacre had an impact in Rajouri as well. The leaders of the Youngman’s Association especially Allah Rakha Sagar, Gowher Rehman and Raja Muhammad Akber expected a massive response from Rajouri people who were already engaged in a movement against non-payment of agriculture tax. The leaders availed the opportunity the opportunity and persuaded the people to register protest.
Muslim Conference member and former MLA, Abdul Aziz Shawl writes in his Gowher-e Shab-e- Chiraag that a procession was taken out in Rajouri town on January 21, 1932. “People of Darhaal, Thana Mandi and adjoin areas also participated. The protesters marched towards Ladiyan Wali mosque where prayers had been banned first in 1846 and then in 1914. They wanted to defy the ban.”
Shawl says the people assembled in the mosque and held a congregation. “After they came out of the mosque, the Dogra soldiers cane charged them and also opened fire killing 25 persons on the spot.”
He further says that the Agriculture Minister of Riyasi District, Sardar Tirath Singh and a magistrate Mr Amarnath were present near the spot.
It is believed that the Minister and the Magistrate ordered the soldiers to open fire on the people.
The killings evoked severe reaction in Jammu forcing the Dogra ruler to order a probe.
Shawl says the government entrusted the probe to Magistrate Sahibzadad Muhammad Umer.
The enquiry officer also recorded the statements of Tirath Singh Minister and Magistrate Amarnath. Both of them denied having issued orders for opening fire on the people.
The probe findings could not be made public to this day.
The Ladiyan Wali Masjid, it needs to be made clear, was closed down by Gulab Singh in 1846 after people assembled in the mosque and registered protest against Sale deed of Amritsar.
However, the Muslims led by Moulvi Abdul Rehman broke open the locks of the mosque in 1914 and offered prayers and the ban was re-imposed.
The ban continues till date. “The entire area including a graveyard has been occupied by the army. No civilian can go inside the mosque. However, it is open for Muslim soldiers. They alone can go inside to pray,” a local scribe said.