SRINAGAR: A demand in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to restore a public holiday marking the birth anniversary of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah led to an exchange between NC and BJP members on Tuesday, followed by a walkout by BJP legislators.
The issue was raised by Anantnag West MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi after the House resumed proceedings on the second day of the autumn session.
Larmi noted that September 23 is observed as a public holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh and called for a similar holiday on Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s birth anniversary. He said that if the demand was not accepted, the existing holiday marking Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary should also be withdrawn.
BJP members objected to the suggestion and questioned the demand to withdraw the holiday associated with Maharaja Hari Singh.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather intervened, clarifying that the Speaker was not the authority empowered to grant or withdraw government holidays. He said Larmi had merely expressed his view before the House.
MLA Waheed Para also intervened, saying public sentiment should be taken into consideration. He supported the demand for a holiday on Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s birth anniversary and also called for a holiday to commemorate the July 13 martyrs.
Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s birth anniversary falls on December 5. The day was observed as a public holiday in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir before being removed from the official holiday calendar. The Lieutenant Governor’s administration dropped December 5, along with July 13, from the 2020 holiday list.
The September 23 holiday marking Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary is listed in the provisional calendar of the Legislative Assembly.
