J&K Assembly Erupts Over Holidays For Sheikh Abdullah, Maharaja Hari Singh

The confrontation began shortly after the House assembled when NC legislator Abdul Majeed Larmi demanded restoration of an official holiday on December 5, Sheikh Abdullah's birth anniversary. He also sought that September 8, the Sheikh's death anniversary, be declared a public holiday.

Larmi further argued that either both dates associated with Sheikh Abdullah should be recognised as official holidays or the holiday marking Maharaja Hari Singh's birth anniversary should also be withdrawn.

The remarks drew strong protests from BJP legislators, who rose from their seats and raised slogans of "Maharaja Bahadur ki Jai". BJP members accused the NC legislator of insulting the memory of Maharaja Hari Singh and disregarding the sentiments of those who revere him.

NC members responded with slogans of "Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah Zindabad", describing the former prime minister of J&K as a freedom fighter and symbol of resistance against autocratic rule.

The exchanges soon turned into a noisy confrontation, disrupting proceedings for nearly 15 minutes. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather sought to pacify the members, saying neither he nor the Assembly had the authority to declare or cancel an official holiday.

The dispute comes against the backdrop of changes made to J&K's official holiday calendar following the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories in August 2019.

The then Lieutenant Governor-led administration discontinued several holidays, including those associated with Sheikh Abdullah's birth anniversary and Kashmir Martyrs' Day, drawing criticism from regional parties such as the NC and the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

July 13, observed as Martyrs' Day, was among the most contentious of the withdrawn holidays. The date commemorates 22 Kashmiri Muslims who were killed on July 13, 1931, when Dogra forces opened fire outside Srinagar's Central Jail during proceedings in the case of Abdul Qadeer Khan.

Abdul Qadeer, who was employed by a British visitor, had been charged with sedition after delivering a speech critical of Maharaja Hari Singh's rule. July 13 was subsequently commemorated as Martyrs' Day in Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, the administration added other dates to the official holiday calendar. October 26, marking Maharaja Hari Singh's signing of the Instrument of Accession in 1947, was declared a public holiday. September 23, his birth anniversary, was subsequently notified as an official holiday following demands from political, social and cultural groups in the Jammu region.

Both dates feature in J&K's official holiday calendar for 2026 under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. The issue has also posed a political challenge for the Omar Abdullah government. During the 2024 Assembly elections, the NC had promised to restore holidays associated with Kashmir's political history, including July 13 and December 5. However, the holidays have not so far been restored.

The NC leadership had also indicated during the election campaign that it would not seek withdrawal of the holiday marking Maharaja Hari Singh's birth anniversary. The latest confrontation highlights continuing differences between the two parties over the commemoration of historical figures and events in J&K.

Later in the day, all but one BJP legislator staged a walkout, accusing the Omar Abdullah government of ignoring problems faced by the people. BJP legislator Yudhvir Sethi did not join the walkout as he wanted to remain in the House for the Chief Minister's response during Question Hour to a query raised by him.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appreciated Sethi for staying back, calling him a "true representative" of his people. "This is the difference between asli and naqli MLAs," Abdullah quipped.