SrinagarNational Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah Thursday hit out at Bharatya Janata Party, the coalition partner in the state government for staying away from the official function marking the Martyrs Day.
Responding to a question, the National Conference President said that the July 13, 1931 massacre was carried out in Dogra Raj.
Dograj Raj had carried out this [massacre], how they [BJP legislators] can come [here to pay homage]? asked Abdullah.
Their vote-bank lies there. It is obvious they wouldnt accompany them [ally PDP], said Abdullah, while referring to Jammu areas where Dogras predominantly live.
He said that the coalition partners have come together just for chair.
BJP has skipped the official function for the third consecutive year. The party maintains that it doesnt believe in such events.
On July 13, 1931, 22 people were killed in firing by the forces of Maharaja Hari Singh outside the Srinagar Central Jail, where an in-camera trial of Abdul Qadeer, a freedom fighter, was being held.
The crowd was protesting in central jail against the detention of Qadeer when the forces of Maharaja opened fire.