In a dramatic video that went viral, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was seen climbing the wall of the revered Mazar-e-Shuhada (Martyrs’ Graveyard) in Srinagar on Martyrs’ Day. He was said to have been turned away from the main gate by security staff.
When Abdullah got to the spot, the gate was locked, as seen in the video shared by ANI on X (formerly Twitter). Since the officers on duty didn’t give him a clear reason or seemed willing to let him in, the CM literally took things into his own hands and climbed over the wall while dressed in traditional clothes. His next step was to pray and honor the victims who were buried there.
#WATCH | Srinagar | J&K CM Omar Abdullah jumped over the boundary wall of Mazar-e-Shuhada to recite prayers after he was allegedly stopped by the security forces
Omar Abdullah said that he did not inform anyone before coming to the Mazar-e-Shuhada, as he was house arrested… https://t.co/gQTTepddvA pic.twitter.com/ou2LcFnIbr
— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2025
An important and emotional time in politics
Every year on July 13, people in Jammu and Kashmir remember the 22 Kashmiris who died in a protest against the Dogra government in 1931. This is called Martyrs’ Day. For leaders like Omar Abdullah, whose political legacy is strongly linked to the history of Kashmir, the event is very important on an emotional and symbolic level.
“To us, this day is holy.” “It is not just a ritual to pay our respects at Mazar-e-Shuhada; it is our duty,” Abdullah told reporters afterward.
Social Media Going Crazy
A lot of people have responded to the video online. Some have praised Abdullah’s drive and humility, while others have asked what’s going on with protocol and security coordination. Soon after the video came out, hashtags like #OmarAbdullah, #MartyrsDay, and #MazarEShuhada became popular.
“That’s leadership!” wrote one person. Not a single VIP temper tantrum, just respect and action. Someone else asked, “Why was the gate closed for the elected CM?” Who told them to do that?”
Concerns about safety and politics
The event has started a new discussion about the role of government intervention and police discretion in politically sensitive areas like Jammu and Kashmir. Some people in the opposition have said that preventing an elected chief minister from carrying out normal tasks on such an important day shows bigger problems with the way the government is run.
The J&K Police and the security staff in charge of the area have not yet made an official comment. The National Conference, which is run by Omar Abdullah, is said to have asked the administration for more information.
People all over the country are talking about Omar Abdullah’s decision to build a wall. Some see it as an act of defiance, loyalty, or frustration. As the video keeps going popular, it shows how complicated politics are in J&K and how passionate a leader is who won’t be stopped, even if the gates are locked.
