J&K Assembly witnesses heated exchanges over Sheikh Abdullah and Maharaja Hari Singh holidays. (Img: Dynamite News)
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed a heated political showdown on Tuesday as a demand to restore holidays linked to Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and July 13 Martyrs’ Day triggered sharp exchanges between National Conference and BJP legislators.
The controversy erupted during the second day of the autumn session after National Conference MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi raised the issue of historical figures and events being included in the official holiday calendar. The debate quickly turned into a political confrontation, reflecting the deep differences over Jammu and Kashmir’s history, identity and public commemorations.
The matter has gained attention because holidays in Jammu and Kashmir have often remained connected with political narratives, regional sentiments and the changing administrative framework after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
The discussion began when Anantnag West MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi questioned why the holiday marking the birth anniversary of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was no longer part of the official holiday calendar.
Larmi pointed out that September 23 is observed as a holiday to mark the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh and argued that Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary should also receive similar recognition.
He further stated that if the government was not willing to restore a holiday associated with Sheikh Abdullah, then the existing holiday related to Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary should also be reconsidered.
The demand immediately drew objections from BJP legislators, who opposed any move to withdraw the holiday associated with Maharaja Hari Singh.
The issue soon escalated inside the Assembly, with BJP and National Conference members exchanging slogans over the legacy of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Maharaja Hari Singh.
BJP legislators protested against the demand, arguing that removing a holiday linked to Maharaja Hari Singh would hurt the sentiments of many people in Jammu and Kashmir.
National Conference members defended Sheikh Abdullah’s legacy and highlighted his role in the region’s political history.
The heated exchanges disrupted proceedings in the House for several minutes, forcing Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to intervene. The Speaker clarified that the Assembly does not have the authority to independently declare or cancel government holidays and that such decisions are taken by the competent authorities.
PDP MLA Waheed Rehman Para also joined the discussion and supported the demand for restoring July 13 as a holiday. July 13 has historically been observed as Martyrs’ Day in Jammu and Kashmir. The day commemorates the deaths of 22 Kashmiri Muslims who were killed on July 13, 1931, outside Srinagar Central Jail during protests against Dogra rule.
The holiday was removed from the official calendar after the Centre’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and reorganise the former state into two Union Territories in 2019. The demand to restore the day has remained a politically sensitive issue, with regional parties repeatedly raising it while critics have questioned its historical interpretation.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of major changes in Jammu and Kashmir’s official holiday calendar after August 2019. Several holidays associated with political leaders and historical events were discontinued, while new dates were added.
October 26, which marks the signing of the Instrument of Accession by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1947, was declared a public holiday. Later, September 23, the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, was also included in the official holiday calendar. Both dates are part of Jammu and Kashmir’s holiday calendar for 2026 under provisions related to the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
The Assembly debate has added another layer to the ongoing political differences between the ruling National Conference-led government and the opposition BJP.
The National Conference had promised during the 2024 Assembly election campaign to restore certain holidays associated with Kashmir’s political history, including July 13 and December 5, linked to Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary. However, these holidays have not yet been restored.
The latest confrontation highlights the continuing debate over how Jammu and Kashmir’s history should be represented through official institutions and public commemorations.
Later during the session, BJP legislators staged a walkout after raising allegations related to corruption and governance issues under the Omar Abdullah government.
The opposition members had sought discussions on several issues, while the ruling alliance continued to push demands including restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
One BJP legislator, Yudhvir Sethi, did not join the walkout and stayed inside the House to participate in proceedings. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appreciated Sethi’s decision to remain present during the Question Hour.
The demand raised in the Assembly does not automatically change the official holiday calendar. Any decision regarding adding or removing government holidays will depend on the competent authorities.
However, the political debate over Sheikh Abdullah, Maharaja Hari Singh and July 13 Martyrs’ Day is expected to continue as parties maintain different positions on Jammu and Kashmir’s historical symbols and identity issues.
The controversy has once again brought questions about history, regional sentiments and political representation to the centre of discussions in the J&K Assembly.
